Odontoceti Collection (#7)

Common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis, side view

Rissos Dolphin, Grampus griseus, side view

Several Porpoise (Phoecoenidae) species simultaneously jumping out from water, Vaquita or Gulf Porpoise (phocoena sinus), Dalls Porpoise (phocoenoides dalli)

Cartoon of a killer whale under a boat

Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), or white whale, head

Beluga Whale, White Whale -Delphinapterus leucas-, Sea of Japan, Primorsky Krai, Russia

Front view of leaping Killer Whale, Orcinus orca

Sperm whale excavation C016 / 5929
Sperm whale excavation, Excavation of a sperm whale skull and skeleton in Bridlington, Humberside, UK, in 1938

Northern bottlenose whale skeleton C016 / 6156
Skeleton of the northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), also known as the Thames Whale, which became stranded in the River Thames in January 2006

Short-finned pilot whales C014 / 0554
Short-finned pilot whales. Group of three juvenile short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). These animals are actually large dolphins and are found throughout the worlds temperate

Dolphins, artwork C016 / 6185
Dolphins, artwork. Plate one from Edward Wilsons Terra Nova Expedition (officially the British Antarctic Expedition 1910) sketch book showing three dolphins

Homeward Bound
Illustration (p.531) from Charles Darwins Journal of Researches, first illustrated edition 1890

Sketch of Dolphins by Edward Wilson
Plate one from Edward Wilson sTerra Nova sketch book showing three dolphins

Orcaella brevirostris, Irrawaddy dolphin
Photograph of the dorsal view of the skull of an Irrawaddy dolphin

Sousa teuszii, Atlantic Hump-backed Dolphin skull

Physeter macrocephalus, sperm whale
Detail of the mouth of a male sperm whale skeleton on display in the Mammal and Whale Gallery (number 24), at the Natural History Museum, London. Specimen found in Caithness, Scotland in 1865

Dolphin casting, c. 1924, The Natural History Museum
Percy Stammwitz, the skilled technician captured here in the Preparators Workshop making casts of dolphins for models in the proposed new Whale Hall

Tabula
Illustration from Handlung 1 Tabula, by Kirschner, 1786

Physeter catodon, sperm whale
A 52 ft male sperm whale stranded at Atwick, Humberside in Dec 1993. Teeth removed for sectioning determined the animals age at 35 yrs. Whale stranding programme -nhm.ac.uk/zoology/stranding/

Pursuit of Flying Fish by Dolphins & Birds
A line drawing from The Ocean by P. H. Gosse 1846 Page 183 illustrating a pursuit of flying fish by dolphins and birds

Kogia breviceps, pygmy sperm whale
Photograph of the skull of a pygmy sperm whale

Sperm whale skeleton, March 1901
This sperm whale skeleton stood in the Central Hall between 1882 and 1901. The whale was found near Thurso, Scotland, in 1863

Monodon monoceros, narwhal
The skull and a selecton of vertebrae specimens of the narwhal whale, held at the Natural History Museum, London

Scientist at work in the Darwin Centre
A stranded harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, is examined to establish its age, diet, the number of parasites it bears, and the likely cause of death

Carrying model beluga on pole, c. 1934
It took over a year from the closure of the old Whale Hall on 1 January 1934 for the skeletons and models, such as this beluga, to be ready for the public in the new Whale Hall

Working on whale carcass, 1930s
Since 1913, when the Crowns rights to whales and dolphins stranded or caught in English waters (Fishes Royal) were transferred to the Museum, staff have been monitoring cetacean strandings

Hyperoodon ampullatus, northern bottlenose whale
Skeleton of the northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), also known as the Thames Whale, which became stranded in the River Thames. Seen here on display with mammal expert Richard Sabin

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.). Photographed in the Red Sea, Eilat, Israel

Juvenile Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) swimming. Photographed in the Eastern Caribbean. Photographed on Little Bahama Bank, Grand Bahama

Sperm Whale, Physeter catodon, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean, Dominica

Sperm Whale, Physeter catodon, Azores, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal

Adult bull Orca - also called Killer Whale - (Orcinus orca) surfacing in the calm waters of Southeast Alaska, USA
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Orca (Orcinus orca) swimming underwater. Water is very dark because the orca enter Norwegian fjords in middle of winter
Stephen Wong / SplashdownDirect

Orca (Orcinus orca) and diver. Akaroa, New Zealand
Stephen Wong / SplashdownDirect

Orca (Orcinus orca). Juvenile interacting with group. Akaroa, New Zealand
Stephen Wong / SplashdownDirect

Orca (Orcinus orca) from above, showing whole body length. Akaroa, New Zealand
Stephen Wong / SplashdownDirect

Pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) a travelling pod Hawaii
Stephen Wong / SplashdownDirect

Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) surfacing (note the blow behind head)
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) traveling in super pod Plettenburg Bay, South Africa
Centre for Dolphin Studies / SplashdownDirect

Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK (RR)
Janet Baxter / SplashdownDirect

A group of bowriding bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Gulf of California. (RR)
Christopher Swann / SplashdownDirect

Tourists watching sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) surface next to ship, . Chile. (RR)
Juliet Shrimpton / SplashdownDirect

Rower watching friendly bottlenose dolphin. Hebrides, Scotland
Sea Life Surveys / SplashdownDirect

Trueís Beaked Whale ( Mesoplodon mirus) hauled onto a trailer at after stranding at nearby Noordhoek beach
Charl Pauw / SplashdownDirect

Mass stranding of False Killer Whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Some hundred animals came ashore in one of the biggest
Charl Pauw / SplashdownDirect

A lone adult male Blainvilles Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris)surfacing in deep water off the Kona Coast of
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Sub-adult Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) breaching in northern Gulf of California, Mexico
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

Young Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) spy-hopping (note the sloughing skin)
Michael Nolan / SplashdownDirect

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"Discover the Fascinating World of Odontoceti: Masters of the Ocean" Odontoceti, a diverse group of marine mammals, includes some of the most awe-inspiring creatures that inhabit our oceans. Among them are the magnificent Killer Whales or Orcas (Orcinus orca), known for their intelligence and striking black and white coloration. In one captivating moment, we witness Mel, a male Killer Whale, launching an attack on a young South American sea lion. This display of hunting prowess showcases their formidable nature as apex predators. Traveling to Shetland, Scotland in April, we observe an entire pod of Orca whales surfacing together. Their synchronized movements create a mesmerizing spectacle against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes. Another remarkable sight unfolds as a pod of Killer Whales collaboratively hunts in a herring baitball. Witnessing their strategic teamwork is truly remarkable and highlights their exceptional hunting skills. Venturing into warmer waters, we encounter a playful pod of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins gracefully swimming over vibrant coral reefs. Their presence brings joy to both divers and marine enthusiasts alike. Delving deeper beneath the surface off Dominica's coast reveals three socializing Sperm whales. These gentle giants demonstrate their strong bonds while navigating the mysterious depths with grace and tranquility. Journeying to Ogasawara / Bonin Islands in Japan unveils an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin with its unique extended penis—a fascinating glimpse into their reproductive biology rarely seen by human eyes. The Three Kings Islands in New Zealand serve as home to Orcas/Killer Whales roaming freely through open waters. Observing these majestic creatures thriving within their natural habitat is nothing short of breathtaking. A magical moment occurs when a Sperm whale dives below a rainbow while showcasing its massive tail fluke above water—an enchanting scene symbolizing harmony between land and sea.