What term is used to describe a group of whales?
Normally, you will find a pod of whales, however, pod often refers to members of the same family group ie. Killer whales (Orca) have strong social cohesion of groups, members of which, often remain together for life. Mysticetes (baleen whales) do not appear to be organised into structurally complex groups although dispersed individuals may form discrete units maintained by vocal contact. Close bonds only exist for mother and calf. Odontocetes (toothed whales) tend to group together into schools, which may often be quite large although their stability in the long term is probably only seen in a few species. Often prefered is another word to pod it’s ‘gam’ and seems to be the better choice. Pod – (probably a special application of ‘pod’ – def. to swell out into a pod.) a flock or school, as of birds, whales etc. Gam – probably derived from Scandinavian – Norwegian, Swedish. Dialect ‘gams’ , loose conservation, light behaviour. Possibly derived from Old Norse word ‘gems’.
