Melon-headed whale

Melon-headed whale
Size compared to an average human
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Peponocephala
Nishiwaki & Norris, 1966
Species:
P. electra
Binomial name
Peponocephala electra
(Gray, 1846)
  Range of the melon-headed whale
Synonyms

Peponocephalus electrus

The melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), also known less commonly as the electra dolphin, little killer whale, or many-toothed blackfish, is a toothed whale of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). The common name is derived from the head shape. Melon-headed whales are widely distributed throughout deep tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, but they are rarely encountered at sea. They are found near shore mostly around oceanic islands, such as Hawaii, French Polynesia, and the Philippines.

  1. ^ Kiszka, J.; Brownell Jr.; R.L. (2019). "Peponocephala electra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T16564A50369125. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T16564A50369125.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.