Animal Hybrids: Wholphin

0
778

A Wholphin or Wolphin is a 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. False killer whales do not closely resemble killer whales. They grow to 20 feet, weigh up to two tons and have a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs their toothed jaw.  Atlantic bottlenose dolphins reach a maximum size of 12 feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds.

Although they have been reported to exist in the wild, there are currently only two in captivity, both at Sea Life Park in Hawaii. (WikipediaNew York Times)