The melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), also known less commonly as the electra dolphin, little killer whale, or many-toothed blackfish, is a toothed whale of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). The common name is derived from the head shape.

2025年1月14日 · Melon-headed whales are robust small whales found primarily in deep, tropical waters worldwide. They are social animals and often occur in groups of hundreds to over 1,000 individuals. Learn more about the melon-headed whale.

Melon-headed whales have a robust, dolphin-like body, a tapering, conical head (head shape triangular when viewed from above) with no discernible beak, and a relatively tall, falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin located near the middle of the back. Body …

Perfectly adapted to zipping through the water, melon-headed whales have slim, torpedo-shaped bodies and conical heads. With the absence of a beak, their faces are softly rounded and are decorated with white markings on their lips and dark ‘masks’ around the eyes – …

Melon-headed whales belong to a group of small, dark-colored whales often referred to as “blackfish.” Its color is primarily dark gray with a faint darker gray dorsal cape that is narrow at the head and dips onto the side as a downward pointing triangle just below the tall, falcate dorsal fin.

2023年1月25日 · Don’t let the name fool you – melon-headed whales (Peponocephala eleectra) are actually part of the dolphin or toothed whale family. They are aptly named for their small heads with large melons, oil-filled foreheads that allow them to echolocate or see with sound.

The melon-headed whale communicates using various high-pitched clicks and whistles to socialize and share interests with other dolphins. As a species, these marine mammals are a very social group known to travel in large pods of 100 – 1000 dolphins commonly.

Melon-headed whales occur mostly in deep warm waters (>1,000 m in depth), seaward of the edge of continental shelves. They take small fish, larger ommastrephid squid (e.g.Dasidicus gigas), and shrimps. Not well known. They are highly social, and groups observed are often very large, with 100-1,000 individuals.

It is a close relative of the pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) and the Pilot whales (Genus Globicephala), a fact that is evident just by looking at its physical appearance. It is also known as the melon whale, electra dolphin, and many-toothed blackfish.

2016年10月11日 · Melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) are members of the oceanic dolphin family. They can reach a length of nine feet and weigh about 460 pounds. Melon-headed whales in Hawaiian waters can be found in groups of up to several hundred animals.