The pilot whales are taking a time-out. Basking beneath the morning sun, they look like a raft of giant ebony logs, with just their dorsal fins and blowholes bobbing above gently lapping waters.

It would be easy for passing whale watchers to get the wrong impression, for these intelligent, powerfully built animals are far from idle. This is a well earned rest , having spent the pre-dawn hours chasing squid off Oahu's Waianae coast. It was a successful night; one they are quietly digesting

Strong social bonds may partially explain why pilot whales are among the species of cetaceans that most frequently mass-strand.

Bulbous head with no discernable beak. Body color is black or dark brown with a large gray saddle behind the dorsal fin.

Subgroups of gender or age-related animals are common. They are quite active and will frequently lobtail, spyhop and approach boats

Maturity occurs around 10 years of age and maximum longevity is 45 years for males and 60 years for females.

Pods can be up to several hundred, and members of this highly social species are almost never seen alone.

Gestation about 15 months and nurse for at least two years. The last calf born to a mother may be nursed for as long as 15 years.

Older females do not give birth as often as younger females, and will eventually reach menopause.

There is often one mature male to about every eight mature females. Males generally leave their birth school, while females may remain in their's for their entire lifetime.

When male and female short-finned pilot whales are courting they are thought to bang their heads together under water.

It would be easy for passing whale watchers to get the wrong impression, for these intelligent, powerfully built animals are far from idle. This is a well earned rest , having spent the pre-dawn hours chasing squid off Oahu's Waianae coast. It was a successful night; one they are quietly digesting

Strong social bonds may partially explain why pilot whales are among the species of cetaceans that most frequently mass-strand.

Bulbous head with no discernable beak. Body color is black or dark brown with a large gray saddle behind the dorsal fin.

Subgroups of gender or age-related animals are common. They are quite active and will frequently lobtail, spyhop and approach boats

Pods can be up to several hundred, and members of this highly social species are almost never seen alone.

Gestation about 15 months and nurse for at least two years. The last calf born to a mother may be nursed for as long as 15 years.

Older females do not give birth as often as younger females, and will eventually reach menopause.

There is often one mature male to about every eight mature females. Males generally leave their birth school, while females may remain in their's for their entire lifetime.

Maturity occurs around 10 years of age and maximum longevity is 45 years for males and 60 years for females.

When male and female short-finned pilot whales are courting they are thought to bang their heads together under water.