Narwhal
Monodon monoceros
p. [102]
- Body to 16 feet (4.9 m) long.
- Body of adult brownish with grayish spots; body of young dark bluish gray fading to white belly.
- Head small; adults may have tusks up to 9 feet long (2.7 m).
- Small row of bumps along back ridge.
- Distribution usually in coastal waters from Arctic waters south to Labrador coast.
SMALL WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES
(less than 13 feet [4 m] maximum overall length)
With a Dorsal Fin
The species in this group are not discussed in order of length; instead the species of the genus Stenella are treated together and then they and other species are placed in near proximity to those animals with which they are likely to be confused in the field.
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Stenella plagiodon
p. [104]
- Body to 7.5-8 feet (2.3-2.4 m) long.
- Body dark purplish gray on back, lighter gray on sides and belly; becomes increasingly spotted with increase in size.
- Body has spinal blaze and light line from flipper to eye.
- Beak white on tip.
- Rides bow waves.
- Distribution usually in tropical and warm temperate waters; most common inside 100-fathom curve of continents.
Bridled dolphin
Stenella frontalis
p. [108]
- Body to at least 7 feet (2.1 m) long.
- Body dark gray on back; lighter gray on sides and belly.
- Body has no spinal blaze.
- Cape on top of head distinct.
- Bridle: dark lines from eye to rostrum and from flippers to corner of mouth.
- Rides bow waves.
- Distribution in tropical waters, primarily in West Indies.
Spinner dolphin
Stenella longirostris
p. [110]