Dead cetacean -South Uist (1 Viewer)

AlanMatthews

AlanM

• May 28, 2019

• #1

Hi

I came across this on a beach in South Uist, Outer Hebrides last week. Does anyone know what it is?

Many thanks
Alan

 

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Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• May 28, 2019

• #2

With that bulbous forhead, I'd have a guess at Pilot Whale?

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• May 28, 2019

• #3

andyadcock said:

With that bulbous forhead, I'd have a guess at Pilot Whale?

Click to expand...

The thing is so far gone its very difficult to have a go at ID. I wasn't convinced the forehead was bulbous - I thought it might have reshaped as the corpse collapsed - or you could interpret the forehead as squarish (Pygmy or Dwarf Sperm Whale): what about the curious looking dorsal?

My gut says distorted corpse of Harbour Porpoise, but "I dunno" would be more accurate.

John

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• May 28, 2019

• #4

What length was this roughly? Small triangular dorsal suggests Harbour Porpoise and not much else to go on.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• May 28, 2019

• #5

PYRTLE said:

What length was this roughly? Small triangular dorsal suggests Harbour Porpoise and not much else to go on.

Click to expand...

Good point, size would be a big help!

John

 

AlanMatthews

AlanM

• May 28, 2019

• #6

Farnboro John said:

Good point, size would be a big help!

John

Click to expand...

Apologies, size really is important here!

It was about 4 metres long and the head appeared to be genuinely bulbous. Pilot Whale?

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• May 28, 2019

• #7

AlanMatthews said:

Apologies, size really is important here!

It was about 4 metres long and the head appeared to be genuinely bulbous. Pilot Whale?

Click to expand...

In that case yes, I think so (good call, Andy). Most of the fins have been removed, probably eaten. Pretty manky!

John

 

P

pppppvvvv

Guest

• May 28, 2019

• #8

The tail flukes look to have gone too, which may explain the small dorsal, if these parts decompose faster.

Risso's could still be a possibility too, at a stretch.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• May 29, 2019

• #9

Farnboro John said:

In that case yes, I think so (good call, Andy). Most of the fins have been removed, probably eaten. Pretty manky!

John

Click to expand...

Clearly then an Eaten-finned Pilot Whale.....:t:

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• May 30, 2019

• #10

Farnboro John said:

My gut says distorted corpse of Harbour Porpoise, but "I dunno" would be more accurate.

Click to expand...

andyadcock said:

Clearly then an Eaten-finned Pilot Whale.....:t:

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My gut says "don't eat this thing" :eek!: 3