Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 130, October 2015, pp. 1-18. | Page 7

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grey back in a very distinctive manner when diving”.
UAE interact Website added: “The toothed whales and dolphins are, on average,
smaller than the baleen whales, but are far more numerous. Those found off the
UAE show a remarkable diversity of size, form and behaviour, from the
tiny finless porpoise, well under 2 metres in length, which finds retreat in coastal
shallows, to the colossal, deep-water sperm whale that may exceed 50 tonnes and
grow to 20 metres, the largest toothed whale of the UAE and indeed the world”.
It is possible to view whales and dolphins in the UAE's waters throughout most
of the year, although a choppy sea provides remarkably good cover for an
arching back and dorsal fin of even the largest of whales. Conditions are ideal
from late March to July, when the sea-surface is calm, although the humidity and
temperatures in May and June can be uncomfortable. However, whale and
dolphin watching can be rewarding at almost any time. Only the northerly
winter winds, or Shamal, of December to February are likely to create viewing
difficulties (UAE interact Website).

The Umm Al-Maradem Island Blue Whale right flipper at the Educational Science
Museum in Kuwait. Photo by: Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa.
24.06.2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/14691629663/
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 130 – October 2015