Whale-Dolphin Hybrid Has Baby Wholphin

perrch01 · 04-15-05, 16:51

y JEANNETTE J. LEE, Associated Press Writer

HONOLULU - The only whale-dolphin mix in captivity has given birth to a playful female calf, officials at Sea Life Park Hawaii said Thursday.

The calf was born on Dec. 23 to Kekaimalu, a mix of a false killer whale and an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Park officials said they waited to announce the birth until now because of recent changes in ownership and operations at the park.

The young as-yet unnamed wholphin is one-fourth false killer whale and three-fourths Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Her slick skin is an even blend of a dolphin's light gray and the black coloring of a false killer whale.

The calf still depends fully on her mother's milk, but sometimes snatches frozen capelin from the hands of trainers, then toys with the sardine-like fish.

She is jumbo-sized compared to purebred dolphins, and is already the size of a one-year-old bottlenose.

"Mother and calf are doing very well," said Dr. Renato Lenzi, general manager of Sea Life Park by Dolphin Discovery. "We are monitoring them very closely to ensure the best care for them."

Although false killer whales and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are different species, they are classified within the same family by scientists.

"They are not that far apart in terms of taxonomy," said Louis Herman, a leading expert in the study of marine mammals.

There have been reports of wholphins in the wild, he said.

Kekaimalu, whose name means "from the peaceful ocean," was born 19 years ago after a surprise coupling between a 14-foot, 2,000-pound false killer whale and a 6-foot, 400-pound dolphin. The animals were the leads in the park's popular tourist water show, featured in the Adam Sandler movie "50 First Dates."

Kekaimalu has given birth to two other calves. One lived for nine years and the other, born when Kekaimalu was very young, died a few days after birth.

Park researchers suspect the wholphin's father is an 8-foot long Atlantic bottlenose dolphin named Mikioi.

"He seems to be totally oblivious to this happening," Lenzi said.

False killer whales do not closely resemble killer whales. They grow to 20 feet, weigh up to two tons and have a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs their toothed jaw.

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins reach a maximum size of 12 feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds.

Sea Life Park officials said they hope to decide on a name for the baby wholphin soon and move her to a large display tank in a few months.

___

04-15-05, 17:17

Thats a neat story. Pretty soon we'll have sholphins (sharks+dolphins) swimming around in captivity.

Hippie3 · 04-15-05, 17:21

a whale of a tale.
or tail.
i wonder what it looks like.

dukex · 04-15-05, 17:27

Top to bottom

Killer Whale (Dad- I`anui Hahai ), Bottlenose Dolphin (Mom- Punahele )

& Wolphin - Keikaimalu

Peace...

perrch01 · 04-15-05, 17:33

wow, where did you find that?

dukex · 04-15-05, 17:39

http://hotspotshawaii.com/Wolphin.html

Not the same one this one is 20 years old.

Peace...

perrch01 · 04-15-05, 17:41

Oh ok, I didn't click the link b/c I forgot it was at the bottom of the article

destroy_erase_improve · 04-15-05, 19:56

There have been reports of wholphins in the wild, he said.
pretty cool

Raptor · 04-16-05, 20:51

it's no munchkin cat

candykid420 · 04-17-05, 17:04

wtf is a munchkin cat?

pskovinsky · 04-17-05, 18:17

It's a ninja dolphin, RUN!

Thats pretty cool, and crazy.... Black dolphins.
Whoa, heh.
Seriously, ninja!

dead_diver · 04-17-05, 18:32

Now I'm wondering if you could inseminate a
Tiger with house cat sperm?

Raptor · 04-18-05, 10:26

unfortunately not, being that the tiger is of genus panthera and the house cat, genus felis.

however you've got the bengal cat, haha.

reefer · 04-18-05, 14:44

Those blue eyes are wicked.

dukex · 04-18-05, 15:02

That is a cool looking cat, are those breed ?

Peace...

shedthemonkey · 04-18-05, 16:41

Dukex, yes there are some breeders of Bengals out there...got a sister looking into getting one, she loves the spots. I wouldn't give up my rescue kittens for anything because they have awesome personalities when raised with tons of love. But if you're gonna buy a cat and you have the money...either this or a Maine Coon Cat are the way to go.

dukex · 04-18-05, 18:21

I agree with you there are to many in need of rescue that what I would do if I where to get a new one.

Peace...

Raptor · 04-19-05, 15:59

yes, you'll also pay $500-$800 for a kitten, ouch.

Beastmaster · 04-19-05, 16:20

Bengal cats are house cats bred to a margay or ocelot or some other wild feline that has been taken from its natural environment.

Most wild felines are endangered, except maybe cougars and bob cats, but the ones used to breed fancy bengal cats are never obtained legally. Its bad enough that our demands for beef and fancy wood are causing more virgin rainforest to be absolutely, irreversibly destroyed thus placing more animals and plants on the endangered and extinct species lists than ever before, (not to mention exacerbating hte global warming by removing the earth's oxygen factories) but now there's folks smuggling these rare animals out of the jungle to make FREAKS!!! abominations of nature!!! All so someone can inflate their ego by having a unique looking cat??

Wisconsin is discussing legalizing the hunting of stray cats, and people are paying $500+ for something like a bengal cat. This pisses me off so much I can't put it into words at the moment. And don't get me started on ligers and tigons...

Lazlo · 04-19-05, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

unfortunately not, being that the tiger is of genus panthera and the house cat, genus felis.

however you've got the bengal cat, haha.

Yo man that cat is great! How did you acquire it? Or what would I ask someone in order to aquire one? I love the 2nd pic too. It looks a bit concerned about the pose though. LOL!

Beastmaster · 04-19-05, 16:32

ok, my bad, they are hybridized with asian leopard cats, which have recently been removed from the endangered species list.

It still pisses me off that someone would pay almost $1000 for a cat when thousands of stray cats that look just as cool are wandering the streets/fields, etc. and we spend tax dollars on rounding them up, exterminating them, and etc.

sorry to rain on anyone's parade, I'm too green for my own good... I feel like a Jainist sometimes... til I see ants crawling out of my cereal box...

Happytrails · 05-06-05, 22:07

hell I have never heard "False Killer whale", What does it do ,just scare seals instead of killing them?

candykid420 · 05-07-05, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happytrails

hell I have never heard "False Killer whale", What does it do ,just scare seals instead of killing them?

LOL

Killjoy · 12-06-06, 13:18

Revival of dead Post--

Ran across this looking for Info on hunting wild goodies in Hawaii...

just thought I'd throw in my inflation adjusted $64.

Killer whales-false or otherwise-are not whales at all.
They are DOLPHINS.
With the word 'Whale' in their name.
Kind of like the Whale Shark... (also just a shark)

Why not just call it a Killer-Bottlenose?
Not really any more biologically exciting than a Mule.

But I'll bet it helps sell tickets.

aumbrellaforainydays · 12-06-06, 13:51

"ROAR!"

dial8 · 12-06-06, 15:14

You know, I am having a hard time believing this. I doubt they hybridize in the wild. Their behavior is different and mechanically I doubt they would fit together unless it is a very small killer whale or a very large dolphin. I still think in captivity they would have a hard time actually fitting together, but stranger things do happen.

Bobcat · 12-06-06, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by dial8

You know, I am having a hard time believing this. I doubt they hybridize in the wild. Their behavior is different and mechanically I doubt they would fit together unless it is a very small killer whale or a very large dolphin. I still think in captivity they would have a hard time actually fitting together, but stranger things do happen.

A little Barry White and some underwater lube, and anything is possible my friend......

ohhhh yeaahhhhh

Bobcat · 12-06-06, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastmaster

ok, my bad, they are hybridized with asian leopard cats, which have recently been removed from the endangered species list.

It still pisses me off that someone would pay almost $1000 for a cat when thousands of stray cats that look just as cool are wandering the streets/fields, etc. and we spend tax dollars on rounding them up, exterminating them, and etc.

sorry to rain on anyone's parade, I'm too green for my own good... I feel like a Jainist sometimes... til I see ants crawling out of my cereal box...

You are both right and wrong. There are many hybrids on the market like pixie-bobs. The Pedigree groups are supporting these trends (but they are just money pits that dont really care about the animals- true for both dogs and cats). It is also becoming alarmingly common to hear of these hybrid big cats. The Liger/tigon thing is old news. Now they are hybridizing the caracals, servals, bobcats, lynx, ocelots, etc. to create new exotic pets.

I purchased my bobcat at an auction from some guy hawking him off as weaned at 4 weeks. Poor thing was sucking the juice out of a raw chicken leg that he didn't know what to do with. 14 weeks later he actually was weaned. The experience has really opened my eyes. It has turned out to be.... quite an investment. I now realize that supporting this person was the wrong thing to do, but am happy that it has worked out for me as well as it has. But I am the exception. Check out this link:

http://www.bigcatrescue.org/hybrids.htm

Please don't support big cat sellers and hybrid cat sellers. Go to the pound and save a life instead. Its the right choice for the cats and its probably the right choice for your life.

... and off the soapbox I go.

Bobcat · 12-08-06, 14:27

Oh, and places like that which I've linked to take donations. Places that have good years go to fur farms and buy cats- both wilds and unwanted "hybrids".

Good people.

ClearLight · 12-09-06, 02:20

Sorry folks, bengals are the 4th generation (F4) hybrid of the Egyptian Mau and the Asian Lepoard cat. I have five! The breed was finalized in 1975. Since then it's been bred only out of that stock. No Ocelots(Oci-cat) or other endangered species was used. They are highly resistant to feline leukemia. The also play in water and will jump up and watch you take a shower!
What is really incredible is that aside from being super affectionate and playful, is that they still have that "wild" cat quality to them in their keeness, intelligence and voraciousness with which they chase toys and play. It's like night and day between these and domestic cats... The come in different coats, spotted leopard, marbled and sandy mau like. Leopards have transparent end hairs in the coat, so like humming bird throats, they glitter gold in the sunlight! It's called a "glitter coat".
I think it's a shame for all the kittys at the pound that have no homes... I wanted something different and bred the rest of my "kids" from the mom. The make great spirit guardians and bond really well. It's the closest thing to having a falcon again that i've managed to find... and it'll sleep on the bed!
Here are some pix of mine, the marbled male , the mau, and leopard.

.

reefer · 12-09-06, 16:16

Right. No other exotics were used to breed the bengals, but the domestic side of the cross wasn't limited to the Egyptian Mau. Many types of domestic cats were used.

" The origin of the Bengal breed began with the cross between The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) and the domestic cat. Some of the early felines used in these matings include Egyptian and Indian Maus, Burmese and non-pedigreed domestic cats. As the breed progressed, SBT Bengals were taken back to the Asian Leopard Cat instead of the misc. other breeds. The first three generations resulting from the ALC x Bengal are considered "Foundation Bengals". " - from the TIBCS (The International Bengal Cat Society)

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04-15-05, 16:51	#1 (permalink)
perrch01 Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 1971 Posts: 1,331	Whale-Dolphin Hybrid Has Baby Wholphin y JEANNETTE J. LEE, Associated Press Writer HONOLULU - The only whale-dolphin mix in captivity has given birth to a playful female calf, officials at Sea Life Park Hawaii said Thursday. The calf was born on Dec. 23 to Kekaimalu, a mix of a false killer whale and an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Park officials said they waited to announce the birth until now because of recent changes in ownership and operations at the park. The young as-yet unnamed wholphin is one-fourth false killer whale and three-fourths Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Her slick skin is an even blend of a dolphin's light gray and the black coloring of a false killer whale. The calf still depends fully on her mother's milk, but sometimes snatches frozen capelin from the hands of trainers, then toys with the sardine-like fish. She is jumbo-sized compared to purebred dolphins, and is already the size of a one-year-old bottlenose. "Mother and calf are doing very well," said Dr. Renato Lenzi, general manager of Sea Life Park by Dolphin Discovery. "We are monitoring them very closely to ensure the best care for them." Although false killer whales and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are different species, they are classified within the same family by scientists. "They are not that far apart in terms of taxonomy," said Louis Herman, a leading expert in the study of marine mammals. There have been reports of wholphins in the wild, he said. Kekaimalu, whose name means "from the peaceful ocean," was born 19 years ago after a surprise coupling between a 14-foot, 2,000-pound false killer whale and a 6-foot, 400-pound dolphin. The animals were the leads in the park's popular tourist water show, featured in the Adam Sandler movie "50 First Dates." Kekaimalu has given birth to two other calves. One lived for nine years and the other, born when Kekaimalu was very young, died a few days after birth. Park researchers suspect the wholphin's father is an 8-foot long Atlantic bottlenose dolphin named Mikioi. "He seems to be totally oblivious to this happening," Lenzi said. False killer whales do not closely resemble killer whales. They grow to 20 feet, weigh up to two tons and have a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs their toothed jaw. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins reach a maximum size of 12 feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Sea Life Park officials said they hope to decide on a name for the baby wholphin soon and move her to a large display tank in a few months. ___

04-15-05, 17:21	#3 (permalink)
Hippie3 DUNG DEALER Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 43,266	a whale of a tale. or tail. i wonder what it looks like. __________________ visit dial-a-hippie .

04-15-05, 17:27	#4 (permalink)
dukex Mycotopiate Join Date: May 1972 Posts: 587	Top to bottom Killer Whale (Dad- I`anui Hahai ), Bottlenose Dolphin (Mom- Punahele ) & Wolphin - Keikaimalu Peace... Attached Thumbnails __________________ "It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of gum."

04-15-05, 17:39	#6 (permalink)
dukex Mycotopiate Join Date: May 1972 Posts: 587	http://hotspotshawaii.com/Wolphin.html Not the same one this one is 20 years old. Peace... __________________ "It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of gum."

04-15-05, 17:17	#2 (permalink)
~freakachino Guest Posts: n/a	Thats a neat story. Pretty soon we'll have sholphins (sharks+dolphins) swimming around in captivity.

04-15-05, 17:33	#5 (permalink)
perrch01 Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 1971 Posts: 1,331	wow, where did you find that?

04-15-05, 17:41	#7 (permalink)
perrch01 Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 1971 Posts: 1,331	Oh ok, I didn't click the link b/c I forgot it was at the bottom of the article

04-15-05, 19:56	#8 (permalink)
destroy_erase_improve Mycotopiate Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,171	There have been reports of wholphins in the wild, he said. pretty cool __________________ Destroy Erase Improve

04-16-05, 20:51	#9 (permalink)
Raptor Mycophage Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 177	it's no munchkin cat Attached Thumbnails

04-17-05, 17:04	#10 (permalink)
candykid420 Mycotopiate Join Date: Jan 1973 Posts: 436	wtf is a munchkin cat?

04-17-05, 18:17	#11 (permalink)
pskovinsky Ex-chat M0d of Doom, y3 Join Date: Nov 1971 Posts: 1,365	It's a ninja dolphin, RUN! Thats pretty cool, and crazy.... Black dolphins. Whoa, heh. Seriously, ninja! __________________ In soviet russia, the mushrooms grow you.

04-17-05, 18:32	#12 (permalink)
dead_diver Mycotopiate Join Date: Mar 1972 Posts: 1,171	Now I'm wondering if you could inseminate a Tiger with house cat sperm?

04-18-05, 10:26	#13 (permalink)
Raptor Mycophage Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 177	unfortunately not, being that the tiger is of genus panthera and the house cat, genus felis. however you've got the bengal cat, haha. Attached Thumbnails

04-18-05, 14:44	#14 (permalink)
reefer Mod of the Ocean Join Date: Feb 1973 Posts: 1,029	Those blue eyes are wicked.

04-18-05, 15:02	#15 (permalink)
dukex Mycotopiate Join Date: May 1972 Posts: 587	That is a cool looking cat, are those breed ? Peace... __________________ "It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of gum."

04-18-05, 16:41	#16 (permalink)
shedthemonkey Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 1972 Posts: 1,426	Dukex, yes there are some breeders of Bengals out there...got a sister looking into getting one, she loves the spots. I wouldn't give up my rescue kittens for anything because they have awesome personalities when raised with tons of love. But if you're gonna buy a cat and you have the money...either this or a Maine Coon Cat are the way to go. __________________ A Buddhist walks up to a Hot Dog Stand and says "Make me one with everything."

04-18-05, 18:21	#17 (permalink)
dukex Mycotopiate Join Date: May 1972 Posts: 587	I agree with you there are to many in need of rescue that what I would do if I where to get a new one. Peace... __________________ "It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of gum."

04-19-05, 15:59	#18 (permalink)
Raptor Mycophage Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 177	yes, you'll also pay $500-$800 for a kitten, ouch.

04-19-05, 16:20	#19 (permalink)
Beastmaster Weremod Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,612	Bengal cats are house cats bred to a margay or ocelot or some other wild feline that has been taken from its natural environment. Most wild felines are endangered, except maybe cougars and bob cats, but the ones used to breed fancy bengal cats are never obtained legally. Its bad enough that our demands for beef and fancy wood are causing more virgin rainforest to be absolutely, irreversibly destroyed thus placing more animals and plants on the endangered and extinct species lists than ever before, (not to mention exacerbating hte global warming by removing the earth's oxygen factories) but now there's folks smuggling these rare animals out of the jungle to make FREAKS!!! abominations of nature!!! All so someone can inflate their ego by having a unique looking cat?? Wisconsin is discussing legalizing the hunting of stray cats, and people are paying $500+ for something like a bengal cat. This pisses me off so much I can't put it into words at the moment. And don't get me started on ligers and tigons... __________________ "Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available." -Gregory Benford Last edited by Beastmaster; 04-19-05 at 16:34. Reason: agriegious generalizations demanded renovation

04-19-05, 16:32	#21 (permalink)
Beastmaster Weremod Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,612	ok, my bad, they are hybridized with asian leopard cats, which have recently been removed from the endangered species list. It still pisses me off that someone would pay almost $1000 for a cat when thousands of stray cats that look just as cool are wandering the streets/fields, etc. and we spend tax dollars on rounding them up, exterminating them, and etc. sorry to rain on anyone's parade, I'm too green for my own good... I feel like a Jainist sometimes... til I see ants crawling out of my cereal box... __________________ "Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available." -Gregory Benford

05-06-05, 22:07	#22 (permalink)
Happytrails Mycophiliac Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 41	hell I have never heard "False Killer whale", What does it do ,just scare seals instead of killing them?

12-06-06, 13:18	#24 (permalink)
Killjoy Mycophage Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 160	Revival of dead Post-- Ran across this looking for Info on hunting wild goodies in Hawaii... just thought I'd throw in my inflation adjusted $64. Killer whales-false or otherwise-are not whales at all. They are DOLPHINS. With the word 'Whale' in their name. Kind of like the Whale Shark... (also just a shark) Why not just call it a Killer-Bottlenose? Not really any more biologically exciting than a Mule. But I'll bet it helps sell tickets. __________________ "When an acorn and a chestnut fall side by side" I eat them.

12-06-06, 13:51	#25 (permalink)
aumbrellaforainydays Mycotopiate Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,329	"ROAR!" __________________ We are all born free and equal.

12-06-06, 15:14	#26 (permalink)
dial8 fornic8 Join Date: Jun 1976 Posts: 4,070	You know, I am having a hard time believing this. I doubt they hybridize in the wild. Their behavior is different and mechanically I doubt they would fit together unless it is a very small killer whale or a very large dolphin. I still think in captivity they would have a hard time actually fitting together, but stranger things do happen.

12-08-06, 14:27	#29 (permalink)
Bobcat Happy and Thankful Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,738	Oh, and places like that which I've linked to take donations. Places that have good years go to fur farms and buy cats- both wilds and unwanted "hybrids". Good people. __________________ Just pretend there is a deep or witty comment here and move along.

12-09-06, 02:20	#30 (permalink)
ClearLight Mycophiliac Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 22	Wrong Wrong Wrong! Bengal Corrections... Sorry folks, bengals are the 4th generation (F4) hybrid of the Egyptian Mau and the Asian Lepoard cat. I have five! The breed was finalized in 1975. Since then it's been bred only out of that stock. No Ocelots(Oci-cat) or other endangered species was used. They are highly resistant to feline leukemia. The also play in water and will jump up and watch you take a shower! What is really incredible is that aside from being super affectionate and playful, is that they still have that "wild" cat quality to them in their keeness, intelligence and voraciousness with which they chase toys and play. It's like night and day between these and domestic cats... The come in different coats, spotted leopard, marbled and sandy mau like. Leopards have transparent end hairs in the coat, so like humming bird throats, they glitter gold in the sunlight! It's called a "glitter coat". I think it's a shame for all the kittys at the pound that have no homes... I wanted something different and bred the rest of my "kids" from the mom. The make great spirit guardians and bond really well. It's the closest thing to having a falcon again that i've managed to find... and it'll sleep on the bed! Here are some pix of mine, the marbled male , the mau, and leopard. . Attached Thumbnails

12-09-06, 16:16	#31 (permalink)
reefer Mod of the Ocean Join Date: Feb 1973 Posts: 1,029	Right. No other exotics were used to breed the bengals, but the domestic side of the cross wasn't limited to the Egyptian Mau. Many types of domestic cats were used. " The origin of the Bengal breed began with the cross between The Asian Leopard Cat (ALC) and the domestic cat. Some of the early felines used in these matings include Egyptian and Indian Maus, Burmese and non-pedigreed domestic cats. As the breed progressed, SBT Bengals were taken back to the Asian Leopard Cat instead of the misc. other breeds. The first three generations resulting from the ALC x Bengal are considered "Foundation Bengals". " - from the TIBCS (The International Bengal Cat Society) __________________ The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. The very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.

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