Gray whale swimming in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Newport Beach while people watch from the beach.

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Toothed Whales By Size

Toothed Whales Largest to smallest:

Here are the toothed whales we see listed by size. These are the most common toothed whales that we see on our trips. This list does not include all of the toothed whales world wide.

Sperm Whale

Sperm Whales are the largest toothed whales with a block-shaped head and a large, square-shaped lower jaw. They are known for their deep-diving abilities and the spermaceti organ in their heads, which helps with buoyancy control and producing powerful clicks for echolocation. Fun Fact: Sperm Whales have the largest brain of any known animal, with complex social structures and remarkable communication skills.
Average length of 59 to 67 feet

Killer Whales come up out of the water while swimming the coast of Newport Beach in Southern California.

Killer Whale (Orca)

Killer Whales, or orcas, are highly intelligent and social animals. They have a distinctive black and white coloration, with a sleek, streamlined body and a tall dorsal fin. These apex predators are known for their complex social structure, with specialized hunting techniques and distinct vocalizations. Fun Fact: Killer Whales are the only known cetacean species to go through menopause, with older females playing a crucial role in leading and guiding their pods.
Average length of 20 to 32 feet

False Killer Whale

False Killer Whales resemble smaller versions of killer whales. They have a slender, elongated body with a dark black or dark gray coloration. They are known for their strong social bonds and cooperative hunting behavior, often sharing prey with other members of their pod. Fun Fact: False Killer Whales are known for their remarkable leaping abilities, often breaching completely out of the water and displaying acrobatic maneuvers.
Average length of 15 to 20 feet

Risso's Dolphin

Risso's Dolphins have a robust body with a blunt head and a prominent, creased forehead. They often have scars and markings, making them easily recognizable. These dolphins exhibit intriguing behavior, such as spy-hopping, where they vertically rise out of the water to observe their surroundings. Fun Fact: As Risso's Dolphins age, their skin becomes increasingly scarred, creating a unique pattern that helps researchers identify individuals and estimate their age.
Average length of 10 to 14 feet

Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose Dolphins are well-known for their friendly and playful behavior. They have a curved mouthline, a robust body, and a prominent dorsal fin. These intelligent dolphins are highly adaptable and have been observed using tools and displaying a wide range of social behaviors. Fun Fact: Bottlenose Dolphins are skilled hunters and have been observed using complex techniques, such as creating mud rings to trap fish and working together in coordinated efforts to catch prey.
Average length of 8 to 12 feet

Pacific White-sided Dolphin

Pacific White-sided Dolphins have a distinctive coloration with a dark gray back, white belly, and a light gray stripe along their sides. They are energetic and often seen leaping and riding the bow waves of boats. These social dolphins are known for their acrobatic displays and enthusiastic interaction with each other. Fun Fact: Pacific White-sided Dolphins are fast swimmers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and frequently engaging in aerial displays, such as somersaults and high jumps.
Average length of 6 to 8 feet

Common Dolphin

Common Dolphins are highly social and often seen in large, energetic groups. They have a sleek, streamlined body and a distinct hourglass pattern on their sides. These dolphins are renowned for their agility and speed, frequently riding the bow waves of ships and displaying aerial behaviors such as breaching and porpoising. Fun Fact: Common Dolphins are incredibly vocal, producing a wide range of clicks, whistles, and bursts of high-frequency sounds that are believed to play a crucial role in communication and echolocation.
Average length of 5 to 7 feet

Two pilot whales come up for air and spray water while swimming together in the Pacific Ocean.

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