Long-finned Pilot Whale: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Giants of the Deep · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. Long-finned pilot whales have more neocortical neurons than any mammal studied so far, almost twice as many as humans.
2. Pilot whales babysit calves that are not their own. In one study, many of the babysitters were males.
3. Pilot whale skin cleans itself. Tiny ridges leave barnacle larvae no good grip.
4. Calves stay with their mothers for life, the females and perhaps the males too.
5. It is also called the 'pothead whale': early whalers thought the shape of its head looked like a black cooking pot.

The quiz

1. What do pilot whales have almost twice as many of as humans?

• Neocortical neurons (correct)
• Teeth
• Ribs
• Heartbeats

They have almost twice as many neocortical neurons as humans.

2. What have pilot whales been seen doing for calves that are not their own?

• Hiding them
• Babysitting them (correct)
• Teaching them to hunt
• Carrying them on their backs

They have been seen babysitting calves that are not their own.

3. What does pilot whale skin do by itself?

• Changes colour
• Heals instantly
• Cleans itself (correct)
• Glows in the dark

Its skin has self-cleaning abilities.

4. How long do calves stay with their mothers?

• One month
• One year
• Until they are 8
• For life (correct)

Calves remain with their mothers for life.

5. Why is it called the pothead whale?

• It carries pots in its mouth
• Its head looked like black cooking pots (correct)
• It dives very deep
• It has a pot-shaped fin

Early whalers thought its head looked like a black cooking pot.

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