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Dorsal fin of a shark. A dorsal fin is a fin located on the back of most marine and freshwater vertebrates within various taxa of the animal kingdom.Many species of animals possessing dorsal fins are not particularly closely related to each other, though through convergent evolution they have independently evolved external superficial fish-like body plans adapted to their marine environments ...
The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), also known as the finback whale or common rorqual, is a species of baleen whale and the second-longest cetacean after the blue whale. The biggest individual reportedly measured 26 m (85 ft) in length, with a maximum recorded weight of 77 to 81 tonnes (85 to 89 short tons ; 76 to 80 long tons ).
A killer whale surfaces, showing its dorsal fin and saddle patch. See also: Wildlife photo-identification In the early 1970s, Bigg and his colleagues discovered that individual killer whales can be identified from a good photograph of the animal's dorsal fin and saddle patch taken when it surfaces.
Short-finned pilot whales are black to dark gray/brown, with a thick tail stock, fluke with sharply pointed tips, bulbous head, and a broad, sickle-shaped dorsal fin. [8] Coloration typically includes light grey to white areas such as a saddle patch behind the dorsal fin, a light grey or white anchor-shaped patch under the chin and belly, and a ...
“What I saw was the head of the whale and fish on the head. I didn’t see the dorsal fin or saddle patch,” she said, referring to the parts of the whales’ bodies used for identification.
Whales swim by moving their tail fin and lower body up and down, propelling themselves through vertical movement, while their flippers are mainly used for steering. Some species log out of the water, which may allow them to travel faster. Their skeletal anatomy allows them to be fast swimmers. Most species have a dorsal fin. [28] [43]
Omura's whale or the dwarf fin whale (Balaenoptera omurai) is a species of rorqual about which very little is known. [3] Before its formal description, it was referred to as a small, dwarf or pygmy form of Bryde's whale by various sources. [4] The common name and specific epithet commemorate Japanese cetologist Hideo Omura . [5] [6]
Pilot whales are mostly dark grey, brown, or black, but have some light areas such as a grey saddle patch behind the dorsal fin. [4] Other light areas are an anchor-shaped patch under the chin, a faint blaze marking behind the eye, a large marking on the belly, and a genital patch. [4] The dorsal fin is set forward on the back and sweeps backwards.