Wholphin
A wholphin or wolphin is an extremely rare hybrid born from a mating of a female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with a male False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens). The name implies a hybrid of whale and dolphin, although taxonomically, both are within the "oceanic dolphin" family, which is within the "toothed whale" suborder.[1][2] Although they have been reported to exist in the wild,[2] there is currently only one in captivity, at Sea Life Park in Hawaii.[1]
Kekaimalu, the first wholphin in captivity, proved fertile when she gave birth at a very young age. The calf died after a few days. However, in 1991, Kekaimalu gave birth once again, to daughter Pohaikealoha. For 2 years she cared for the calf, but did not nurse it; it was hand-reared by trainers. Pohaikealoha died at age 9. On December 23, 2004, Kekaimalu had her third calf, daughter Kawili Kai, sired by a male bottlenose. This calf did nurse and was very playful. Only months after birth, it was the size of a 1-year-old bottlenose dolphin.[1] Each calf was three-quarters dolphin and one-quarter whale.[3] Both remain in captivity, and are now part of the normal tour at Sea Life Park.
Family Tree [edit]
Family tree:
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I'anui' Hahai (FKW) |
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Punahele (Dolphin) |
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Kekaimalu |
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dolphin |
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Unnamed Calf |
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Pohaikealoha |
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Kawili Kai |
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References [edit]
- ^ a b c Sean B. Carroll (September 13, 2010). "Remarkable creatures". New York Times. Retrieved September 14, 2010. "The first captive wholphin, Kekaimalu, was born on May 15, 1985, to a female bottlenose dolphin named Punahele, who shared a pool with a male false killer whale named Tanui Hahai. The wholphin's size, color and shape are intermediate between the parent species. She has 66 teeth - intermediate between a bottlenose (88 teeth) and false killer whale (44 teeth)"
- ^ a b "Whale-dolphin hybrid has baby wholphin". MSNBC. April 15, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
- ^ (subscription required) "Ditching SUVs and Breeding Beefalos". E Magazine (Earth Action Network) 17 (1): 64. January-February 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
External links [edit]
- Waimanalo Hapa Girl Makes 10!, by Keene Rees
- A 'Wholphin' Is Born at CBS News
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