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| Distribution |
The only known offshore report (to us) from NC is from fairly deep (2000 m = 333 fathom) waters, between Cape Hatteras and the VA state line (about 50 miles from the cape). There are two stranding records for the state.
Tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. In the Atlantic, it ranges north regularly apparently only to FL, and sparingly to SC and NC, with at least one record from MD waters. |
| Abundance |
Not well known, but believed to be uncommon across its range. In NC waters, presumably very rare, with only three records available. The offshore report was of 'several hundred melon-headed whales' (PBS website; 'The Voyage of the Odyssey';, dated 15 August 2005). The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History mammal collections (2016) lists two stranding records for NC. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
The three records known to us are: one stranded on 23 July 2006 at Bald Head Island (photo on the UNC-Wilmington stranding website); one stranded at Pea Island on 10 May 2008; and from mid-August (a few days before 15 August) in 2005, as seen from the Odyssey, a research vessel. A photo of the head of one animal of the group was presented on the website. As it is a warm-water species, and as NC lies at the northern edge of the range, sightings might be expected more often from June or July into September. |
| Habitat |
Warmer oceanic waters, apparently from the Continental Shelf and farther to sea. |
| Behavior |
The offshore report above, plus perusal of the literature, indicates that the species often travels in very large groups, of 100 or more, and frequently with Fraser's Dolphins (as was this particular group). |
| Comments |
Though the Melon-headed Whale is perhaps not overly well known, the IUCN has no conservation status for it, likely because it occurs in large pods and thus might not be overly uncommon in terms of total numbers. It would be no surpirse if there are additional reports/records for the state, as there are numerous trips to the warm offshore waters made during the summer months. Making reporting of the species difficult is the close resemblance of it to the Pygmy Killer Whale, even though that species is in a different genus (Feresa). |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S1?M |
| 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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