WWD FEBRUARY 16th 2025

LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE

One way to celebrate the world’s whale populations is to learn about them from one of the many organisations that research and protect these fine animals. A good start is to become familiar with the types of whales, and see how they compare with each other. The simplest way to begin is to examine a Field Guide. This, hopefully, will catch your imagination and lead to further investigation.

What is a beaked whale – and can they really dive deeper than any other whale species? Do false and pygmy killer whales live up to the fearsome reputation of their orca cousins? Why are false and dwarf sperm whales so small in comparison to the enormous ‘real’ creature. Which whales are baleen and which are toothed? Why are humpback whales so different from other baleen whales? Finally the big question: is a killer whale a dolphin?

FIELD GUIDE TO THE MARINE MAMMALS OF THE BAHAMAS

To answer exactly these sorts of question and to inspire further study, BMMRO has produced a comprehensive Field Guide. Contained on four double-sided panels, there is a wealth of information about every species of cetacean found in Bahamian waters, including the dolphin species. And you can learn much more about BMMRO and its wide range of research and conservation projects HERE.

Meanwhile, below is the complete Guide in two versions, visual and downloadable. One click on the Guide’s images will enlarge them; 2 clicks will enlarge them further. The contents will remain legible. For those who want to dig deeper or who want to pass round the information, there is a download of the complete Guide.

The Guide has a significant educational value, and for example all students who attend the Summer Whale Camps are given one to study. You may use the guide images and / or the download as you wish.

DOWNLOADABLE GUIDE