Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Whale dorsal fins

Students that take part in field courses with us in the summer and fall usually get a chance to go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy.  Some of the whales that frequent our area include minkes, humpbacks, fin whales, northern right whales, harbour porpoises, and atlantic white-sided dolphins.  Below are some pictures of the dorsal fins of these species to aid in identification in the field.

Northern right whale = no dorsal fin

Humpback whale = dorsal fin sits on a large hump

Fin whale = curved dorsal fin very far back on body

Minke whale = curved dorsal fin far back on body

Harbour porpoise = small, triangular dorsal fin 

Atlantic white-sided dolphin = large, curved dorsal fin

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