| Wholphin | |
|---|---|
| Kawili Kai, born to a female wholphin by a male dolphin, at 9 months of age in September 2005 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Delphinidae |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | Pseudorca crassidens x Tursiops truncatus |
| Binomial name | |
| none |
|
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.[1][2] Although they have been reported to exist in the wild,[2] there are currently only two in captivity, both at Sea Life Park in Hawaii.[1] Wholphins, though not commonly sighted by fisherman, are known in popular seafaring lore as "The Great Gray Beast." [3]
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]
Both remain in captivity, and are now part of the normal tour at Sea Life Park in Hawaii, USA. Kekaimalu is featured in the main dolphin show at Sea Life Park.
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