es, false killer whales, and minke whales, and such rarely
encountered and poorly known species as the various "beaked whales"
(_Mesoplodon_ spp. and the goosebeaked whale).

Aside from their common inclusion within the stated size range and the
presence of a dorsal fin in all species (which ranges from only a small
nubbin in some of the beaked whales to a substantial 5- to 6-foot [1.5-
to 1.8-m] sail on adult male killer whales), these species have no
diagnostic field characteristics in common. Therefore, each is discussed
in detail and is placed in the text in near proximity to those species
with which it is likely to be confused in the field.

[Sidenote: MINKE WHALE

_Balaenoptera acutorostrata_

p. 63]

Body to 30 feet (9.1 m), or more, long.
Body black or dark gray; area of gray shading on each side just
in front of and below dorsal fin.
Flippers have transverse white band.
Head very sharply V-shaped viewed from above.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct; usually appears simultaneous
with blow.
Blow often low and indistinct.
Distribution polar, temperate, and tropical; frequently coastal.
Often curious about boats.
Flukes not raised on dive.

[Sidenote: NORTHERN BOTTLENOSED WHALE

_Hyperoodon ampullatus_

p. 67]

Body to 32 feet (9.8 m) long.
Body of young uniformly chocolate brown; body of adults brown
with cream or yellow blotches.
Head bulbous in adults and white in larger animals; has distinct
beak.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct, in last one-third of back.
Distribution north temperate and Arctic-offshore.
Often curious about boats.
Flukes large, rarely notched; occasionally raised on long dive.

[Sidenote: GOOSEBEAKED WHALE

_Ziphius cavirostris_

p. 70]

Body to at least 23 feet (7 m) long.
Body from dark gray or brown to rust or fawn and splotched with
white; eyes dark.
Head of large males white.
Back frequently scarred with numerous scratches, presumably tooth
marks.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct, in last one-third of back.
Distribution primarily tropical; extends to temperate.
Flukes light beneath, sometimes shallowly notched; often raised
on dive.

[Sidenote: ALL OTHER WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC BEAKED WHALES

_Mesoplodon_ spp.

p. 74]

Body to 16-22 feet (4.9-6.7 m) long.
Body color black to dark gray.
Back frequently scarred.
Dorsal fin position varies with species.
Distribution varies with