A wholphin or wolphin is a rare hybrid, born from a mating of bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (mother), and a false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens (actually another dolphin species, taxonomically speaking). Although they have been reported to exist in the wild, there are currently only two in captivity, both at Sea Life Park in Hawaii.
The first captive wholphin, Kekaimalu, was born on May 15, 1985, to a female bottlenose dolphin named Punahele, who shared a pool with a male false killer whale named Tanui Hahai. The wholphin's size, color and shape are intermediate between the parent species. She has 66 teeth - intermediate between a bottlenose (88 teeth) and false killer whale (44 teeth).
The wholphin proved fertile when she gave birth at a very young age. Unfortunately, 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.
Both remain in captivity, and are now part of the normal tour at Sea Life Park. Kekaimalu is featured in the main dolphin show at Sea Life Park.
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External links
- Waimanalo Hapa Girl Makes 10!, by Keene Rees
- Whale-dolphin hybrid has baby wholphin at MSNBC
- A 'Wholphin' Is Born at CBS News
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