Harbour Porpoise
Harbour porpoise are the smallest cetaceans found in Canada and they may be as long as 1.8 m (6 ft). They normally weigh 45-kg (100 lbs) with larger ones weighing up to 63-kg (140 lbs). These porpoise may be dark brown or grey-black in colour. Harbour porpoise have a small, round head and a triangular dorsal fin.
Dall’s Porpoise
Dall’s porpoise can reach lengths of 2.2 m (7 ft) and can weigh up to 220-kg (485 lbs). These porpoise have chunky body with a small head. They have a black body with a white patch on each side that extends from the mid-point of the body towards the tail. The dorsal fin is triangular with the trailing edge and tip often white.
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided dolphins grow up to 8.5 m (8 ft) and can weigh up to 180 kg (close to 400 lbs). The dolphins have a dark-grey back with its sides being a distinct lighter grey colour. Hence, the name they were given – “white-sided” dolphins. The underside of the body is white and the dorsal fin is dark with a noticeable curve.
Minke Whale
Minke whales may be as long as 10 m (33 ft). Minke whales usually have a dark coloured back with flanks that are lighter. Their underside is light grey or white, and the flippers have a white band on the dorsal (or top) side. These whales have a pointed head and the curved dorsal fin is two-thirds the way along the back.
Gray Whale (Grey Whale)
Gray whales reach lengths of 14 m (46 ft). These whales are grey in colour with many small, white blotches and frequently orange coloured patches of whale lice. A Gray whale may have areas of its body that are covered with barnacles. They have broad flippers with pointed tips. They do not have a dorsal fin; instead, a low hump is found followed by small knobby ridges along the back.
A Grey whale passing Texada Island.
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales may be as long as 17 m (55 ft). These whales are dark grey to black with occasional white patches on the body. In addition, there are frequently white patches on the tail and flippers. A Humpback whale has a broad head with bumps or knobs on it. Barnacles are often found on Humpbacks, covering areas of their flippers, tail, and body. They have a small dorsal fin, located two-thirds the way along the back.
A Humpback whale swimming past Campbell River.
Orca or Killer Whale
Most Orca average between 4.6 m (15 ft) up to 7.6 m (25 ft). Orca have a black body with a white underside and a white oval eyepatch. Orca have a grey to white saddle patch behind its dorsal fin. They have a roundish head with a slightly pointed beak (nose) and they have paddle-shaped pectoral fins. The dorsal fin is found in the middle of the back. The dorsal fin in males is straight and tall (up to 2 m) while the dorsal fin in females is usually curved and smaller (under 1 m).
The height of the dorsal fin of an adult male Orca is 2-meters.
