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The Pygmy killer whale
Feresa attenuata
​General description
The pygmy killer whale has an elongated, streamlined torpedo-shaped body. Its rounded head is characterized by its clearly visible bulbous melon. The dorsal fin is located in the middle of the body, high, broad at the base, and falcate or sometimes triangular. The body of the pygmy killer whale is generally black or dark gray, with a darker dorsal cape and light gray flanks. The ventral side is lighter, with a light area between the pectoral fins and a white mark extending from the belly to the anal region. White spots and scars frequently cover its body, indicating social interactions or injuries.
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Habitat
An exclusively pelagic species, the pygmy killer whale frequents deep tropical and subtropical waters.
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Diet
The pygmy killer whale is an opportunistic predator that feeds primarily on cephalopods (especially squid), fish and, occasionally, other dolphins. Hunting is mainly nocturnal: the pygmy killer whale is capable of diving to depths of between 500 and 3,500 meters to feed.
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Behavior
The pygmy killer whale is difficult to observe, which means that its behavior is still poorly understood. It generally avoids ships and rarely leaps out of the water. It lives in small, tight groups, made up of 12 to 50 individuals, which disperse quickly if threatened. Spending most of its day moving slowly through the water, it occasionally swims alongside other cetaceans, such as Fraser's dolphin, spinner dolphin, Steno and even humpback whales.
Family : Delphinidae​​
Height (m)​​
Weight (Kg)
Lifespan (years)
Sexual Maturity
(years)
Gestation
(month)
2.30 - 2.60
170
unknown
unknown
2.00 – 2.40
150
unknown
unknown
unknown
Global distribution of the Pygmy Orca, adapted from Baird, Robin W. 2018. “Pygmy Killer Whale: Feresa attenuata”. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Third Edition), edited by Bernd Würsig, J.G.M. Thewissen, and Kit M. Kovacs, 788‑90. Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00210-7.
Observations in the Lesser Antilles (CCS)
Main threats
Entanglement in fishing gear, such as gillnets, can cause serious injury or death. Although bycatch is common, another significant threat is noise pollution, caused by human activities such as maritime traffic, disrupting their communication and behaviors.
Least concern
IUCN Status :
References
- Sylvestre, Jean-Pierre. 2014. Cetaceans of the World Systematics, Ethology, Biology, Ecology, Status. Practical Guide. Éditions Quae.
- NOAA Fisheries
- International Whaling Commision