Major Species of Whales Found in Tosa Bay

[Sperm Whale]
Average Length of a Mature Adult: Male=15m; Female=13m
Sperm Whales are often sighted in the south-west waters off Cape Muroto, where the ocean is up to 1000 metres deep. Their natural habitat is deep water and they are rarely found in shallow areas.
They have a distinct clicking call which can be heard with the help of a hydrophone.
Characteristics: Exhales in a slanting, left ward direction.
The single fumarole(spout hole) is found on the front, top-left side of the head.

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[Bryde's Whale]
Average Length of Mature Adult: Males=13m; Female=13.8m
Bryde's Whales are regularly sighted in the western region of Tosa Bay. Certain pods of these whales have migratory habits, while others are sedentary and live predominately in shallow waters. There is a high encounter rate with these whales in the ocean off
Ogata. Individual whales can be identified by the markings around the dorsal fin area. In 1995, 14 distinct individuals were recorded on film.
Characteristics: Three ridges between the fumarole on the head and the upper jaw plate.

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[Humpback Whale]
Average Length of a Mature Adult: Male=12.9m; Female= 13.7m
Humpback Whales are migratory whales which spend the winter months in temperate water and the summer period in cooler regions. They pass through Tosa Bay during their migration in spring and autumn. There is a high chance of sighting Humpback Whales during these seasons, especially in shallow water areas.
Characteristics: Numerous lumpy protuberances found along the upper and lower jaw plates. They have long lateral flippers and are known to breach frequently. The male Humpback Whale also has a distinctive mating song.

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[Killer Whale]
Average Length of a Mature Adult: Male=7m; Female=6m
Often referred to as 'Orca', the Killer Whale has an extremely flexible habitat, and can be sighted in wide variety of environments and areas, including Tosa bay.
Characteristics: The Male has a distinctive dorsal fin, which stands straight up from the whales back. Killer Whales have a black body with three white patches, and a gray spot behind the dorsal fin.

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[Risso's Dolphin]
Average Length of a Mature Adult: Males=3.3m; Female=3m
In the Kochi area, the Risso's Dolphin is known by the nickname 'Gon-chan.' They live mainly in temperate waters and are often sighted in Tosa Bay.
Characteristics: White, wound-like markings covering the length of the body.

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[Common Dolphin]
Average Length of a Mature Adult: Male=2.2m; Female=2m
The Common Dolphin lives in temperate water areas and is regularly seen in shallow waters of Tosa Bay.
Characteristics: A yellowish patch in front of the dorsal fin with
a V-shaped markings on the belly.

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