d by a species name
instead of a reference to another paragraph. This name identifies the
specimen. To verify your identification go to the discussion of that
species in the text. With a little practice and careful attention to
details, identification of whales, dolphins, and porpoises will become
easier.

KEY TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF STRANDED CETACEANS OF THE WESTERN NORTH
ATLANTIC

1. a. Double blowhole; no teeth present in either jaw; baleen plates
in upper jaws. (Baleen whale) Go to 2

b. Single blowhole; teeth present (sometimes concealed beneath
the gums); no baleen plates in upper jaw.
(Toothed whale) Go to 9

2. a. Ventral grooves present; dorsal fin present; viewed in profile,
upper jaw relatively flat and broad.
(Balaenopterine whale) Go to 3

b. Ventral grooves absent; dorsal fin absent; viewed in profile,
upper jaw and lower lips strongly arched; upper jaw very narrow.
(Right whale) Go to 8

3. a. Ventral grooves end before navel.[18] Go to 4

b. Ventral grooves extend to or beyond navel Go to 5

4. a. 50-70 ventral grooves, longest often ending between flippers;
baleen less than 8 inches (20.3 cm), mostly white or yellowish
white (some posterior plates may be dark) with 15-25 white
bristles per centimeter; 300-325 plates per side.
Minke whale, p. 63

b. 38-56 ventral grooves, longest ending well short of navel;
baleen less than 31 inches (78.7 cm), black (some anteriormost
plates may be white) and with 35-60 fine silky white bristles per
centimeter; 318 340 plates per side.
Sei whale, p. 32

5. a. Flippers one-fourth to one-third length of the body length and
knobbed on leading edge; less than 22 broad and conspicuous
ventral grooves, longest extending at least to navel; head
covered with numerous knobs; baleen less than 24 inches (61 cm),
ash black to olive brown (sometimes whitish) with 10-35 grayish
white bristles per centimeter; 270-400 plates per side.
Humpback whale, p. 40

b. Flippers less than one-fifth body length; no knobs;