About 70 short-finned pilot whales were spotted about 5 miles off the Southern California coast on Nov. 3, marking the first time local whale-watching crews have encountered the species since 2015.
According to Jessica Rodriguez, education manager for Davey's Locker and Newport Landing Whale Watching, short-finned pilot whales typically prefer warmer, deeper offshore waters, making the encounter particularly unusual.
Rodriguez said a strong El Niñocould be influencing ocean conditions and may be connected to the whales' presence near the coast, although the exact reason remains unclear.
Despite their name, short-finned pilot whales are actually members of the dolphin family. They are highly social animals that usually travel in close-knit family groups
of 15 to 50 individuals, though multiple families can gather into much larger pods.
The species is also known for its deep-diving abilities. Short-finned pilot whales primarily feed on squid and use echolocation to navigate and locate prey hundreds or even thousands of feet below the ocean's surface.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rare pilot whales spotted off Southern California coast
