Huge pod of melon-headed whales visit on last day of field work!

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On the last day of our sperm whale expedition, Field School and Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization were lucky enough to encounter a pod of over 100 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). These amazing animals, which despite their common name are part of family delphinidae—oceanic dolphins—are rarely seen by humans because they rely on deep water habitats. When they aren’t diving down to 500 m (1600+ feet!) looking for food, melon-headed whales spend a lot of the time resting on the surface in small social groups. Encountering this pod was the perfect way to wrap up our expedition!