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| Distribution |
In NC, almost certainly occurs throughout the oceanic range of the state, from VA to SC.
Found in oceans around the world, favoring warmer waters. |
| Abundance |
In NC waters, generally rare to occasionally uncommon. It is surprising that NC had just a single stranding reported prior to 1995 (Webster et al., 1995), considering that it is seen on scattered boat trips into deeper waters. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History mammal collections (2021) lists just two stranding records for NC. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Most records seem to be from the warmer months. The two stranding records of the NMNH database are for July and September, and the one from NCSM is in July, which suggests a seasonal occurrence that favors warm waters or the warm season, as there are no strandings yet for the winter or early spring. Thus, it may well migrate southward during the cooler months. |
| Habitat |
Warmer waters, generally in deeper waters, and thus not seen on most boat trips. |
| Behavior |
Occurs in sizable groups, usually one or two dozen, but can be seen in groups over 100 individuals. Fairly active for a large dolphin (it is not a whale, despite the name), and at times can leap out of the water, though usually it stays close to the surface. |
| Comments |
Though it is monotypic, is is quite similar in appearance to several other dolphins. Both pilot whales are somewhat similar in being all black/blackish in color and have no beak. Pygmy Killer Whale and Melon-headed Whale are similar in shape but have white around and on the lips (not that easy to observe at sea). As a result, the species can be overlooked as pilot whales, or left unidentified because of similarity to other species, and thus be under-reported. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S2S3M |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G4 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| synonym |
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