Attribute | Western Pacific | Nova Scotia | New England |
Notable length Body composed of a series of irregular, jointed component parts (multiple humps, coils, or a ridge) Rapid speed of movement Notable flexibility of body Vertical undulating movement of body segments Body components likened to kegs or barrels, and sometimes scales or saucers Oblivious of surroundings or impervious to disturbance Overall body likened to a string of floats, kegs or buoys Obvious trailing wake or water disturbance Floating motionless, gently swaying in waves, or moving very slowly Narrow, tapering, sinuous, snake/eel-like shape, often with absence of a caudal fin or lateral appendages Extended body pulled down into water, thrown up into the air, or thrashed about on the surface Presence of a horn, spike, spine, mane, or other protuberance (sometimes identified as a head) | 20 15 4 1 10 6 3 0 6 6 15 3 9 | 11 7 5 3 5 8 4 3 6 1 8 0 3 | 9 9 3 1 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 1 2 |