Every species, one by one

L

12–17 m

kg

25–40 t

◉

30 spots

Field identification at sea, migrations by population, 30 spots worldwide and approach rules: Gwenaël's field guide to the humpback whale.

L

22–33 m

kg

100–190 t

◉

10 spots

On-water identification, subspecies, top global sites, IUCN status, and approach rules. Rigorous guide on the blue whale by Gwenaël, Breton whale observer.

L

11–15 m

kg

15–35 t

◉

7 spots

Morphology, Pacific migration, lagoon behavior, on-water ID, and ethical observation of the gray whale (*Eschrichtius robustus*). By Gwenaël, cetacean observer.

L

5–9 m

kg

2–9 t

◉

13 spots

Ecotypes, matriarchal social structure, hunting techniques, and best orca observation sites worldwide. GTOA, WDC data, and ethical approach advice.

L

11–20 m

kg

15–57 t

◉

10 spots

At-sea identification, abyssal dives, matriarchal social organization, global sites, and ethical approach rules for observing the sperm whale.

L

18–27 m

kg

40–80 t

◉

7 spots

Identification criteria at sea, seasonality, documented threats and ethical approach rules for responsibly observing the fin whale.

L

13–18 m

kg

40–80 t

◉

6 spots

Field identification, observation sites, conservation status, and best practices for watching the southern right whale. By Gwenaël, cetacean observer.

L

3.5–5.5 m

kg

700–1500 kg

◉

5 spots

Identification at sea, vocalizations, global populations, conservation status, and tips for observing belugas without disturbing them.

L

3.8–5.5 m

kg

800–1600 kg

◉

4 spots

Spiral tusk anatomy, under-ice behavior, IUCN status, and practical tips for observing narwhals in the Arctic. By Gwenaël, cetacean observer.

L

6.5–10.7 m

kg

5–10 t

◉

5 spots

Spotting at sea, behavior, range, threats, and approach rules for the minke whale. By Gwenaël, observer based in Brittany.

L

1.2–9.5 m

kg

40–10000 kg

◉

30 spots

42 species, from Brittany coasts to tropics: biology, on-water identification, ethical approaches, and best destinations for observing dolphins.

L

1.8–2.5 m

kg

65–150 kg

◉

18 spots

Water identification, biology, distribution in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, real threats and ethical observation advice for the striped dolphin.

L

1.7–2.5 m

kg

70–235 kg

◉

22 spots

Water ID, biology, threats and observation spots for the common dolphin: everything learned in the Iroise Sea and compiled from NGO data.

L

1.9–3.9 m

kg

150–650 kg

◉

25 spots

At-sea identification, behavior, distribution, photo-ID and ethical approach rules for the bottlenose dolphin. By Gwenaël, cetacean observer in Brittany.

L

1.8–2.5 m

kg

85–185 kg

◉

1 spots

Biology, identification, conservation status and ethical observation tips for the Amazon pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). By Gwenaël, cetacean observer.

L

3.5–7.2 m

kg

0.5–3.5 t

◉

9 spots

Two species, matriarchal social structure, deep dives: everything to identify pilot whales at sea, understand their behaviors, and observe responsibly.

L

13–17 m

kg

45–65 t

◉

3 spots

Spotting at sea, ecology, current threats, and observation sites for the North Atlantic right whale. Fewer than 400 individuals, critically endangered species.

L

14–18 m

kg

75–100 t

◉

4 spots

Field identification, populations, current threats, responsible observation zones, and ethical approach guidelines for the Arctic bowhead whale. Rigorous guide for naturalists.

L

11.5–15.5 m

kg

12–25 t

◉

8 spots

All about Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni): identification at sea, worldwide distribution, conservation status and ethical tips for respectful approaches.

L

12–20 m

kg

15–30 t

◉

4 spots

Spot the sei whale at sea: biology, North Atlantic routes, Endangered status. Ethical viewing rules and citizen science via Obs-MAM & Happywhale.

L

1.4–1.9 m

kg

45–90 kg

◉

7 spots

How to recognize the harbour porpoise at sea, where to observe it in France, threats it faces, and how to aid its protection. By Gwenaël, Breton observer.

L

0.8–1.5 m

kg

68–190 kg

◉

45 spots

Field identification, observation sites, biology, IUCN status, and ethical approach rules for the green sea turtle. By Gwenaël, marine naturalist.

L

0.7–1.1 m

kg

80–200 kg

◉

20 spots

Visual ID, Atlantic and Mediterranean range, conservation status, and responsible approach rules for the loggerhead sea turtle.

L

0.6–1.14 m

kg

60–127 kg

◉

25 spots

Biology, field identification, conservation status, and ethical observation tips for the hawksbill sea turtle. Data from IUCN and OFB.

L

1.3–2.5 m

kg

270–900 kg

◉

18 spots

Biology, global migrations, at-sea identification, and responsible observation of the leatherback turtle. Field data and 18 spots referenced by Whale Spotter.

L

0.6–0.75 m

kg

25–50 kg

◉

12 spots

Morphology, diet, major nesting sites, IUCN status and responsible observation protocols for the olive ridley turtle (*Lepidochelys olivacea*). OFB and NGO data.

L

0.55–0.75 m

kg

30–50 kg

◉

3 spots

Morphology, arribada, CR IUCN Red List status, current threats and responsible observation tips for the Kemp's ridley, the world's smallest sea turtle.

L

0.76–1 m

kg

70–90 kg

◉

5 spots

Identification, diet, reproduction and observation sites of the flatback sea turtle, the only marine turtle strictly endemic to Australia. Includes ethical approach tips.

L

1.6–2.5 m

kg

100–350 kg

◉

15 spots

Morphology, phenology, French sites and approach rules for the grey seal: a rigorous field guide by a Breton observer, with citizen science tools.

L

5–18 m

kg

1–21.5 t

◉

5 spots

Field identification, global distribution, documented threats and responsible whale shark observation practices. Supported by IUCN data and field reports.

L

1–1.5 m

kg

14–45 kg

◉

4 spots

Anatomy, ecological role in kelp forests, IUCN status, three subspecies and tips for observing sea otters without disturbance.

L

2.5–4.5 m

kg

200–600 kg

◉

6 spots

Biology, field identification, observation sites, IUCN status and responsible approach rules for the West Indian manatee (*Trichechus manatus*). By Gwenaël, naturalist observer.

L

2.2–3.6 m

kg

400–1700 kg

◉

3 spots

Anatomy, subspecies, diet, May–September observation sites and Arctic walrus conservation. Rigorous, ethical field guide.

L

2.2–2.8 m

kg

240–400 kg

◉

4 spots

Field identification, key sites, IUCN 2023 status, approach distances and photo-identification to observe the Mediterranean monk seal without disturbance.