Whale Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 17, 2026

A whale is a mammal that went back to the sea. Its closest living relative on land is the hippo, it breathes air through a blowhole on top of its head, and a newborn calf drinks milk underwater. Dolphins and porpoises belong to the same family tree, which is why a river dolphin and a blue whale share a page here. Each coloring page is a portrait of a real species in its real habitat, with the name lettered along the bottom so you know exactly who you are looking at, from the giants that strain krill through baleen to the toothed hunters that find squid by sound in total darkness.

Click any picture and the PDF opens in a new tab, ready to print or save. Every sheet is US Letter and fits A4 without scaling. The line art is clean enough for crayons, and detailed enough that pencils and fine markers have plenty to do in the water, the kelp and the rock.

Whales are not all gray, and that is the fun of coloring them. Many have a dark back and a pale belly, so paint the top in deep slate or blue-black and let the underside go cream. The patterns are the part worth getting right: the scars, spots, eye patches and side stripes in these drawings are the marks scientists use to tell species apart, and each caption tells you what the real animal looks like. A soft blue wash across the empty water behind the animal makes even a quick job look finished.

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Whale Coloring Pages - Those enormous flippers are the longest of any whale, close to a third of the body, and every bump on the head holds a single hair. Males sing songs that change with the season across an entire ocean. Pale throat pleats, near-black back. — Those enormous flippers are the longest of any whale, close to a third of the body, and every bump on the head holds a single hair. Males sing songs that change with the season across an entire ocean. Pale throat pleats, near-black back.

Whale Coloring Pages - Deep in the flooded forest swims a dolphin that turns pink with age. Its neck bones are not fused, so it can bend its head sideways to steer between tree trunks and roots. Blush the whole body in rose and salmon, darker along the spine. — Deep in the flooded forest swims a dolphin that turns pink with age. Its neck bones are not fused, so it can bend its head sideways to steer between tree trunks and roots. Blush the whole body in rose and salmon, darker along the spine.

Whale Coloring Pages - Sailors called the beluga the sea canary because it chirps, whistles and clicks through the hull of a ship. No dorsal fin lets it swim right under the ice. The adult is pure white, so give the water and rocks the color instead. — Sailors called the beluga the sea canary because it chirps, whistles and clicks through the hull of a ship. No dorsal fin lets it swim right under the ice. The adult is pure white, so give the water and rocks the color instead.

Whale Coloring Pages - The largest animal that has ever lived, bigger than any dinosaur, eats some of the smallest: tons of krill a day. Its heart is the size of a small car. Blue-gray body, mottled spots lighter, exactly as seen from a boat. — The largest animal that has ever lived, bigger than any dinosaur, eats some of the smallest: tons of krill a day. Its heart is the size of a small car. Blue-gray body, mottled spots lighter, exactly as seen from a boat.

Whale Coloring Pages - Named for the huge curved jaw, the bowhead breaks through Arctic sea ice with the top of its head. Some individuals are thought to live more than two centuries, longer than any other mammal. Keep the chin patch white against a nearly black body. — Named for the huge curved jaw, the bowhead breaks through Arctic sea ice with the top of its head. Some individuals are thought to live more than two centuries, longer than any other mammal. Keep the chin patch white against a nearly black body.

Whale Coloring Pages - A little black-and-white dolphin from the cold coasts of Patagonia, sometimes called the panda of the sea. Calves are born gray and only earn the crisp pattern as they grow. Only the head, the fins and the tail go black; the rest stays bright white. — A little black-and-white dolphin from the cold coasts of Patagonia, sometimes called the panda of the sea. Calves are born gray and only earn the crisp pattern as they grow. Only the head, the fins and the tail go black; the rest stays bright white.

Whale Coloring Pages - Look at the mouth: it reads as a smile, but that is simply the shape of the jaw. Each bottlenose has its own signature whistle, a name it answers to for life. Work from dark gray on the back to almost white on the belly. — Look at the mouth: it reads as a smile, but that is simply the shape of the jaw. Each bottlenose has its own signature whistle, a name it answers to for life. Work from dark gray on the back to almost white on the belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Stocky, muscular and quick, the Dall's porpoise is the fastest small cetacean in the North Pacific, throwing up a spray called a rooster tail as it races at the surface. Black body, one big white patch on the flank, white edges on fin and tail. — Stocky, muscular and quick, the Dall's porpoise is the fastest small cetacean in the North Pacific, throwing up a spray called a rooster tail as it races at the surface. Black body, one big white patch on the flank, white edges on fin and tail.

Whale Coloring Pages - Second in size only to the blue whale, and far sleeker, the fin whale was nicknamed the greyhound of the sea. Its secret: the right side of the lower jaw is white, the left dark. Shade it that way; nobody believes it until they check. — Second in size only to the blue whale, and far sleeker, the fin whale was nicknamed the greyhound of the sea. Its secret: the right side of the lower jaw is white, the left dark. Shade it that way; nobody believes it until they check.

Whale Coloring Pages - This whale makes one of the longest migrations of any mammal, from the warm lagoons of Mexico to the Arctic and back every year. It feeds by scooping seafloor mud and sieving out tiny shrimp-like crustaceans. Those rough patches are barnacles, so leave them white. — This whale makes one of the longest migrations of any mammal, from the warm lagoons of Mexico to the Arctic and back every year. It feeds by scooping seafloor mud and sieving out tiny shrimp-like crustaceans. Those rough patches are barnacles, so leave them white.

Whale Coloring Pages - Few people have ever seen one up close, because the hourglass dolphin roams the icy Southern Ocean and rarely comes near land. It loves riding the bow wave of a passing ship. Two white shapes pinch together mid-flank like an hourglass; the rest is black. — Few people have ever seen one up close, because the hourglass dolphin roams the icy Southern Ocean and rarely comes near land. It loves riding the bow wave of a passing ship. Two white shapes pinch together mid-flank like an hourglass; the rest is black.

Whale Coloring Pages - With a round forehead and no beak, the Irrawaddy dolphin looks almost like a small beluga, yet it lives in warm rivers and mangrove coasts of Southeast Asia. It spits jets of water to herd fish. A soft slate blue-gray all over, slightly paler underneath. — With a round forehead and no beak, the Irrawaddy dolphin looks almost like a small beluga, yet it lives in warm rivers and mangrove coasts of Southeast Asia. It spits jets of water to herd fish. A soft slate blue-gray all over, slightly paler underneath.

Whale Coloring Pages - Unicorn of the sea, and the horn is a tooth that grows straight through the upper lip, sometimes longer than a tall man and full of nerves that sense the water. Narwhals winter under Arctic pack ice. Mottled gray-black on top, white below, tusk ivory. — Unicorn of the sea, and the horn is a tooth that grows straight through the upper lip, sometimes longer than a tall man and full of nerves that sense the water. Narwhals winter under Arctic pack ice. Mottled gray-black on top, white below, tusk ivory.

Whale Coloring Pages - The rough white patches on the head are callosities, hardened skin covered in tiny crustaceans, and no two whales wear the same pattern, like fingerprints. Mothers and calves travel close together. Paint the body black, the callosities creamy white and the calf a touch lighter. — The rough white patches on the head are callosities, hardened skin covered in tiny crustaceans, and no two whales wear the same pattern, like fingerprints. Mothers and calves travel close together. Paint the body black, the callosities creamy white and the calf a touch lighter.

Whale Coloring Pages - Despite the name killer whale, the orca is the largest member of the dolphin family. It stays for life in its mother's pod, and no two pods share a dialect of calls. Glossy black above, white below, white eye patch, gray saddle behind the fin. — Despite the name killer whale, the orca is the largest member of the dolphin family. It stays for life in its mother's pod, and no two pods share a dialect of calls. Glossy black above, white below, white eye patch, gray saddle behind the fin.

Whale Coloring Pages - Boat crews call them lags, and a thousand may leap around a ship at once. The pale stripes running from the face down the back resemble suspenders. Dark gray back, light gray side panel, white belly, dorsal fin dark in front and pale behind. — Boat crews call them lags, and a thousand may leap around a ship at once. The pale stripes running from the face down the back resemble suspenders. Dark gray back, light gray side panel, white belly, dorsal fin dark in front and pale behind.

Whale Coloring Pages - Every scratch on this blunt-headed dolphin is a story: squid beaks and the teeth of other Risso's leave white scars that never fade, so the oldest animals turn almost entirely white. Start with mid-gray and keep each scratch as bare paper. — Every scratch on this blunt-headed dolphin is a story: squid beaks and the teeth of other Risso's leave white scars that never fade, so the oldest animals turn almost entirely white. Start with mid-gray and keep each scratch as bare paper.

Whale Coloring Pages - Inside that square head sits the biggest brain on the planet, plus a reservoir of waxy oil that helps the whale dive more than a mile down to hunt giant squid. It holds its breath over an hour. Wrinkled dark gray, browner in the light. — Inside that square head sits the biggest brain on the planet, plus a reservoir of waxy oil that helps the whale dive more than a mile down to hunt giant squid. It holds its breath over an hour. Wrinkled dark gray, browner in the light.

Whale Coloring Pages - It leaps clear of the water and whirls around its long axis as many as seven times before splashing down. Spinners rest in sheltered bays by day and hunt deep water after dark. Three bands: dark gray back, lighter gray flank, white belly. — It leaps clear of the water and whirls around its long axis as many as seven times before splashing down. Spinners rest in sheltered bays by day and hunt deep water after dark. Three bands: dark gray back, lighter gray flank, white belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Shorter than most adults are tall, the vaquita is the smallest porpoise in the world, found only in the northern Gulf of California. Dark rings around the eyes and dark lips make it a tiny panda. Pale gray body, darker back, eye rings black. — Shorter than most adults are tall, the vaquita is the smallest porpoise in the world, found only in the northern Gulf of California. Dark rings around the eyes and dark lips make it a tiny panda. Pale gray body, darker back, eye rings black.

Whale Coloring Pages - Born with no spots at all, this dolphin collects them year by year, so a heavily freckled animal is an old one. Divers in the Bahamas shallows know whole families by their patterns. Dark speckles on the pale belly, light ones on the back. — Born with no spots at all, this dolphin collects them year by year, so a heavily freckled animal is an old one. Divers in the Bahamas shallows know whole families by their patterns. Dark speckles on the pale belly, light ones on the back.

Whale Coloring Pages - Herds of hundreds, sometimes thousands, churn the surface white as they drive fish into a tight ball and take turns diving through it. On the flank sits a crisscross pattern with a warm tan panel at the front, the brightest color any dolphin wears. — Herds of hundreds, sometimes thousands, churn the surface white as they drive fish into a tight ball and take turns diving through it. On the flank sits a crisscross pattern with a warm tan panel at the front, the brightest color any dolphin wears.

Whale Coloring Pages - Smallest of the rorquals, the blue whale's family, and the most curious: a minke will circle a drifting boat for an hour. Legend says a Norwegian lookout named Meincke mistook one for a blue whale and never lived it down. White band on each flipper. — Smallest of the rorquals, the blue whale's family, and the most curious: a minke will circle a drifting boat for an hour. Legend says a Norwegian lookout named Meincke mistook one for a blue whale and never lived it down. White band on each flipper.

Whale Coloring Pages - Off New Zealand this acrobat throws itself into backward somersaults, head over tail, a dozen in a row. Duskies hunt in teams and seem to leap for the fun of it. Dark gray back, a pale blaze sweeping toward the fin, white below. — Off New Zealand this acrobat throws itself into backward somersaults, head over tail, a dozen in a row. Duskies hunt in teams and seem to leap for the fun of it. Dark gray back, a pale blaze sweeping toward the fin, white below.

Whale Coloring Pages - Not a close relative of the orca; the name comes from a similar skull. These are the social butterflies of the open ocean, sharing fish with pod-mates and even divers. Note the elbow-like bend in each flipper. Charcoal throughout, a lighter chest patch. — Not a close relative of the orca; the name comes from a similar skull. These are the social butterflies of the open ocean, sharing fish with pod-mates and even divers. Note the elbow-like bend in each flipper. Charcoal throughout, a lighter chest patch.

Whale Coloring Pages - For its size, no dolphin has a longer beak, a slender pair of tweezers for picking shrimp off the seabed. Though it belongs to the river dolphin branch, the franciscana lives in the salty coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Warm brown, cream beneath. — For its size, no dolphin has a longer beak, a slender pair of tweezers for picking shrimp off the seabed. Though it belongs to the river dolphin branch, the franciscana lives in the salty coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Warm brown, cream beneath.

Whale Coloring Pages - Its eyes are tiny and nearly useless in muddy water, so it hunts entirely by sound, often swimming on its side with one flipper brushing the riverbed. Locals call it the susu after the sound of its breath. Gray-brown skin, slightly pinkish on the belly. — Its eyes are tiny and nearly useless in muddy water, so it hunts entirely by sound, often swimming on its side with one flipper brushing the riverbed. Locals call it the susu after the sound of its breath. Gray-brown skin, slightly pinkish on the belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Shy and small, this porpoise surfaces with a quick sneeze that earned it the nickname puffing pig. It prefers cool coastal bays and keeps away from boats. Dark gray above, white below, a thin dark line from the corner of the mouth to the flipper. — Shy and small, this porpoise surfaces with a quick sneeze that earned it the nickname puffing pig. It prefers cool coastal bays and keeps away from boats. Dark gray above, white below, a thin dark line from the corner of the mouth to the flipper.

Whale Coloring Pages - Found only around New Zealand, Hector's is the smallest marine dolphin anywhere. Spot it by the rounded dorsal fin, shaped like a half-moon rather than a hook, and the dark mask across the face. Light gray body, black fin, flippers and tail, white belly. — Found only around New Zealand, Hector's is the smallest marine dolphin anywhere. Spot it by the rounded dorsal fin, shaped like a half-moon rather than a hook, and the dark mask across the face. Light gray body, black fin, flippers and tail, white belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Along the coast of Hong Kong these dolphins grow up pink, and the oldest look nearly bubblegum. The hump is a ridge of fat under the dorsal fin. Young ones are gray and turn spotted before the pink arrives, so pick any stage you want. — Along the coast of Hong Kong these dolphins grow up pink, and the oldest look nearly bubblegum. The hump is a ridge of fat under the dorsal fin. Young ones are gray and turn spotted before the pink arrives, so pick any stage you want.

Whale Coloring Pages - A deep-sea specialist of the North Atlantic that chases squid far below the reach of sunlight and holds its breath for well over an hour. Old males carry a bulging, flat-fronted forehead that fades to white. Chocolate brown on top, paler on the belly. — A deep-sea specialist of the North Atlantic that chases squid far below the reach of sunlight and holds its breath for well over an hour. Old males carry a bulging, flat-fronted forehead that fades to white. Chocolate brown on top, paler on the belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - So unusual that scientists placed it in a family of its own, the last survivor of a group thought extinct for millions of years. It is the smallest baleen whale and seldom seen alive. Slate gray above, whitish below, a faint chevron behind the head. — So unusual that scientists placed it in a family of its own, the last survivor of a group thought extinct for millions of years. It is the smallest baleen whale and seldom seen alive. Slate gray above, whitish below, a faint chevron behind the head.

Whale Coloring Pages - Behind the eye sits a pale crescent that mimics a gill slit, so at a glance the animal passes for a shark. When startled it squirts a cloud of dark reddish fluid and vanishes behind it, a trick borrowed from squid. Steel gray, light underneath. — Behind the eye sits a pale crescent that mimics a gill slit, so at a glance the animal passes for a shark. When startled it squirts a cloud of dark reddish fluid and vanishes behind it, a trick borrowed from squid. Steel gray, light underneath.

Whale Coloring Pages - No forehead crease here: the beak runs smoothly into the head, which gives this dolphin an almost reptile look. Its teeth are ridged like tiny files. Rough-tooths skim the surface with just the fin and back showing. Dark cape, lighter sides dotted with white blotches. — No forehead crease here: the beak runs smoothly into the head, which gives this dolphin an almost reptile look. Its teeth are ridged like tiny files. Rough-tooths skim the surface with just the fin and back showing. Dark cape, lighter sides dotted with white blotches.

Whale Coloring Pages - Pilot whales sprint downward faster than almost any diver in the sea, chasing squid in bursts that earned them the nickname cheetahs of the deep. Pods stay together for life, grandmothers and all. Jet black, gray saddle behind the fin, pale anchor on the chest. — Pilot whales sprint downward faster than almost any diver in the sea, chasing squid in bursts that earned them the nickname cheetahs of the deep. Pods stay together for life, grandmothers and all. Jet black, gray saddle behind the fin, pale anchor on the chest.

Whale Coloring Pages - On windy days off Argentina and South Africa these whales lift their tails straight up and let the breeze push them across the bay, then swim back and do it again. Calves stay within touching distance of their mothers. Black bodies, the head growths cream. — On windy days off Argentina and South Africa these whales lift their tails straight up and let the breeze push them across the bay, then swim back and do it again. Calves stay within touching distance of their mothers. Black bodies, the head growths cream.

Whale Coloring Pages - No dorsal fin, and that smooth back makes it one of the fastest, sleekest dolphins alive. Schools of hundreds skip across the Southern Ocean in long, low bounces. A crisp line divides the body: black above, pure white below, including the beak and flippers. — No dorsal fin, and that smooth back makes it one of the fastest, sleekest dolphins alive. Schools of hundreds skip across the Southern Ocean in long, low bounces. A crisp line divides the body: black above, pure white below, including the beak and flippers.

Whale Coloring Pages - The eye is ringed in black and outlined again in fine white, as if the animal were wearing glasses. Males grow an enormous rounded dorsal fin that looks too big for the body. Cold subantarctic seas, rarely seen. Black top half, white bottom, nothing between. — The eye is ringed in black and outlined again in fine white, as if the animal were wearing glasses. Males grow an enormous rounded dorsal fin that looks too big for the body. Cold subantarctic seas, rarely seen. Black top half, white bottom, nothing between.

Whale Coloring Pages - In adult males two teeth grow up and curl over the upper jaw like straps, so the mouth can barely open; the whale simply sucks squid in. Beaked whales dive for an hour at a time. Dark gray, a light saddle across the back, whitish beak. — In adult males two teeth grow up and curl over the upper jaw like straps, so the mouth can barely open; the whale simply sucks squid in. Beaked whales dive for an hour at a time. Dark gray, a light saddle across the back, whitish beak.

Whale Coloring Pages - A thin dark line runs from the eye all the way to the tail, another from eye to flipper, and a pale brushstroke sweeps up toward the fin. Striped dolphins leap high and whirl the tail midair. Blue-gray back, lighter flank, cream belly. — A thin dark line runs from the eye all the way to the tail, another from eye to flipper, and a pale brushstroke sweeps up toward the fin. Striped dolphins leap high and whirl the tail midair. Blue-gray back, lighter flank, cream belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Cold northern seas suit this stocky dolphin, which hunts herring in pods and clears the water in tall leaps. Its trademark is a mustard-yellow streak behind the white side patch, nothing else in the North Atlantic wears that. Dark back, white flash, yellow tail stock. — Cold northern seas suit this stocky dolphin, which hunts herring in pods and clears the water in tall leaps. Its trademark is a mustard-yellow streak behind the white side patch, nothing else in the North Atlantic wears that. Dark back, white flash, yellow tail stock.

Whale Coloring Pages - Scientists realized this was a species of its own early this century; before that it was filed under a cousin from Asia. The snubfin keeps to muddy river mouths in northern Australia and spits water at fish. Three tones: brown back, tan sides, cream belly. — Scientists realized this was a species of its own early this century; before that it was filed under a cousin from Asia. The snubfin keeps to muddy river mouths in northern Australia and spits water at fish. Three tones: brown back, tan sides, cream belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Largest of all the beaked whales, long as a bus, with a slim dolphin-like snout on a huge body. In both sexes a pair of teeth pokes up from the lower jaw, and the skin is crosshatched with scratches from sparring. Slate gray, scratches white. — Largest of all the beaked whales, long as a bus, with a slim dolphin-like snout on a huge body. In both sexes a pair of teeth pokes up from the lower jaw, and the skin is crosshatched with scratches from sparring. Slate gray, scratches white.

Whale Coloring Pages - Round pale scars dot the body, each one the bite of a small cookiecutter shark. Males carry two tusk-like teeth on a steeply arched lower jaw, often capped with barnacles. This is the most widespread beaked whale, found in warm seas everywhere. Gray-brown, scars lighter. — Round pale scars dot the body, each one the bite of a small cookiecutter shark. Males carry two tusk-like teeth on a steeply arched lower jaw, often capped with barnacles. This is the most widespread beaked whale, found in warm seas everywhere. Gray-brown, scars lighter.

Whale Coloring Pages - Pronounce it broo-dus; the name honors a Norwegian consul in South Africa. Unlike its cousins, this rorqual never leaves warm water and skips the migration. Three ridges run over the top of its head where other whales have one. Smoky gray, throat grooves paler. — Pronounce it broo-dus; the name honors a Norwegian consul in South Africa. Unlike its cousins, this rorqual never leaves warm water and skips the migration. Three ridges run over the top of its head where other whales have one. Smoky gray, throat grooves paler.

Whale Coloring Pages - Its dorsal fin sits oddly far back and leans backward, with tiny bumps on the leading edge. Fishermen on both coasts of South America call it the black porpoise because the skin darkens within minutes out of water. Alive, it is dark gray. — Its dorsal fin sits oddly far back and leans backward, with tiny bumps on the leading edge. Fishermen on both coasts of South America call it the black porpoise because the skin darkens within minutes out of water. Alive, it is dark gray.

Whale Coloring Pages - This is the champion diver of all mammals: nearly two miles down and more than three hours without a breath. Older males turn pale across the head and back and carry white scratches from rivals. Rusty brown body, head almost white, belly paler. — This is the champion diver of all mammals: nearly two miles down and more than three hours without a breath. Older males turn pale across the head and back and carry white scratches from rivals. Rusty brown body, head almost white, belly paler.

Whale Coloring Pages - Known for decades from a single skull found on a beach in Borneo, until live ones turned up in tight, fast-moving herds. A bold dark stripe runs from the eye back toward the tail, like a bandit mask. Blue-gray above, pinkish cream below, stubby fins. — Known for decades from a single skull found on a beach in Borneo, until live ones turned up in tight, fast-moving herds. A bold dark stripe runs from the eye back toward the tail, like a bandit mask. Blue-gray above, pinkish cream below, stubby fins.

Whale Coloring Pages - Small and blunt-nosed, this dolphin patrols the cold Benguela current off Namibia and South Africa and surfs the bow waves of fishing boats. Its coloring borrows from the orca: dark cape, soft gray face and chest, white belly with three fingers reaching up each side. — Small and blunt-nosed, this dolphin patrols the cold Benguela current off Namibia and South Africa and surfs the bow waves of fishing boats. Its coloring borrows from the orca: dark cape, soft gray face and chest, white belly with three fingers reaching up each side.

Whale Coloring Pages - The hump beneath the dorsal fin is a fatty ridge, more pronounced in old males. These dolphins stay within sight of shore from South Africa up to the Arabian Sea, following tides into estuaries. Lead gray overall, the tip of the fin and beak paler. — The hump beneath the dorsal fin is a fatty ridge, more pronounced in old males. These dolphins stay within sight of shore from South Africa up to the Arabian Sea, following tides into estuaries. Lead gray overall, the tip of the fin and beak paler.

Whale Coloring Pages - Slimmer than its Atlantic cousin, with a longer beak and a sprinkle of dark freckles on the belly that spreads with age. In Shark Bay, Australia, some wear a sea sponge on the snout to protect it while digging for fish. Gray above, speckled underside. — Slimmer than its Atlantic cousin, with a longer beak and a sprinkle of dark freckles on the belly that spreads with age. In Shark Bay, Australia, some wear a sea sponge on the snout to protect it while digging for fish. Gray above, speckled underside.

Whale Coloring Pages - Instead of a dorsal fin there is a low ridge covered in tiny bumps, the texture of a cat's tongue. Finless porpoises favor shallow, murky coasts and estuaries from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia. Light gray all over, slightly darker along the ridge. — Instead of a dorsal fin there is a low ridge covered in tiny bumps, the texture of a cat's tongue. Finless porpoises favor shallow, murky coasts and estuaries from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia. Light gray all over, slightly darker along the ridge.

Whale Coloring Pages - Called the bhulan in Pakistan, it has lived so long in silt-brown water that its eyes no longer form images; it navigates entirely by clicks. It often swims tilted on one side, trailing a flipper over the bottom. Gray-brown, the beak lined with needle teeth. — Called the bhulan in Pakistan, it has lived so long in silt-brown water that its eyes no longer form images; it navigates entirely by clicks. It often swims tilted on one side, trailing a flipper over the bottom. Gray-brown, the beak lined with needle teeth.

Whale Coloring Pages - Those flippers can reach a fifth of the body length, the mark that separates this species from its short-finned relative. Pods of dozens follow a lead animal, which is where the name pilot comes from. Coal black, gray saddle, an anchor shape on the chest. — Those flippers can reach a fifth of the body length, the mark that separates this species from its short-finned relative. Pods of dozens follow a lead animal, which is where the name pilot comes from. Coal black, gray saddle, an anchor shape on the chest.

Whale Coloring Pages - Sleek as a torpedo, with no dorsal fin at all, this dolphin races across the cool North Pacific in schools that leap in low arcs. The body is almost entirely black; just a slim white band runs under the belly and tips the lower jaw. — Sleek as a torpedo, with no dorsal fin at all, this dolphin races across the cool North Pacific in schools that leap in low arcs. The body is almost entirely black; just a slim white band runs under the belly and tips the lower jaw.

Whale Coloring Pages - A whale so little known that the first live animals were filmed just recently, off Madagascar. Like the fin whale it wears its colors unevenly: the right side of the jaw is white, the left dark. Slender, streaked blue-gray back, pale chevrons behind the head. — A whale so little known that the first live animals were filmed just recently, off Madagascar. Like the fin whale it wears its colors unevenly: the right side of the jaw is white, the left dark. Slender, streaked blue-gray back, pale chevrons behind the head.

Whale Coloring Pages - One of the most numerous dolphins on Earth, it crosses every warm ocean in herds that often swim above schools of tuna. Calves are plain and gain spots with age. Dark cape over a gray flank, light spots above, dark spots below. — One of the most numerous dolphins on Earth, it crosses every warm ocean in herds that often swim above schools of tuna. Calves are plain and gain spots with age. Dark cape over a gray flank, light spots above, dark spots below.

Whale Coloring Pages - At home in the kelp forests around Tierra del Fuego and the Falklands, Peale's weaves through the fronds hunting octopus and fish. Sailors call it the black-faced dolphin. Dark gray from the face down the back, a pale gray patch along the flank, white below. — At home in the kelp forests around Tierra del Fuego and the Falklands, Peale's weaves through the fronds hunting octopus and fish. Sailors call it the black-faced dolphin. Dark gray from the face down the back, a pale gray patch along the flank, white below.

Whale Coloring Pages - A close relative of Bryde's whale that lives in just one place, the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, and was recognized as a separate species a few years ago. Among the rarest whales anywhere. Three ridges on the head, dark gray back, pinkish throat. — A close relative of Bryde's whale that lives in just one place, the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, and was recognized as a separate species a few years ago. Among the rarest whales anywhere. Three ridges on the head, dark gray back, pinkish throat.

Whale Coloring Pages - Alone among beaked whales, it has a full set of teeth in both jaws rather than a single pair. Sightings are so rare that most records come from around New Zealand and southern Australia. Dark cape, a light shoulder patch behind the melon, cream belly. — Alone among beaked whales, it has a full set of teeth in both jaws rather than a single pair. Sightings are so rare that most records come from around New Zealand and southern Australia. Dark cape, a light shoulder patch behind the melon, cream belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Hugging the shallow coast of West Africa from Senegal down to Angola, this shy dolphin rarely strays beyond the shallows and keeps clear of boats. The ridge under the dorsal fin gives it the humpback name. Slate gray, fading to a paler belly. — Hugging the shallow coast of West Africa from Senegal down to Angola, this shy dolphin rarely strays beyond the shallows and keeps clear of boats. The ridge under the dorsal fin gives it the humpback name. Slate gray, fading to a paler belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Recognized as a species in its own right a decade or so ago, it lives in the warm, muddy inshore waters of northern Australia and New Guinea. A darker cape runs over the back. Pale gray body, deeper gray cape, adults speckled with white scratches. — Recognized as a species in its own right a decade or so ago, it lives in the warm, muddy inshore waters of northern Australia and New Guinea. A darker cape runs over the back. Pale gray body, deeper gray cape, adults speckled with white scratches.

Whale Coloring Pages - Small, round-headed and secretive, it threads through the fjords and tidal channels of southern Chile, where locals call it the tonina. It rarely leaps and keeps to water near the kelp. Dark gray above, a white throat and belly, white patches behind the flippers. — Small, round-headed and secretive, it threads through the fjords and tidal channels of southern Chile, where locals call it the tonina. It rarely leaps and keeps to water near the kelp. Dark gray above, a white throat and belly, white patches behind the flippers.

Whale Coloring Pages - The only dolphin known to have begun as a cross between two other species, the spinner and the striped, long ago in the Atlantic. It still spins when it jumps. A dark line tops the beak like a mustache. Dark cape, gray sides, white belly. — The only dolphin known to have begun as a cross between two other species, the spinner and the striped, long ago in the Atlantic. It still spins when it jumps. A dark line tops the beak like a mustache. Dark cape, gray sides, white belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Not much longer than a tall person, this is the smallest animal to carry the name whale. Its underslung mouth and false gill behind the eye make it resemble a shark. It lies still at the surface, then sinks straight down. Bluish gray, cream belly. — Not much longer than a tall person, this is the smallest animal to carry the name whale. Its underslung mouth and false gill behind the eye make it resemble a shark. It lies still at the surface, then sinks straight down. Bluish gray, cream belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - First described from a body found floating in the English Channel, though it normally lives far away in the warm western Atlantic. In males a single pair of teeth erupts partway along the lower jaw. Dark gray back, softer gray flanks, a light belly patch. — First described from a body found floating in the English Channel, though it normally lives far away in the warm western Atlantic. In males a single pair of teeth erupts partway along the lower jaw. Dark gray back, softer gray flanks, a light belly patch.

Whale Coloring Pages - Unusual twice over: its long slim beak is white, and besides the usual male tusks it keeps a row of tiny teeth in the upper jaw. Gray's also travel in bigger groups than most beaked whales. Dark bluish gray body, bright white beak, lighter underside. — Unusual twice over: its long slim beak is white, and besides the usual male tusks it keeps a row of tiny teeth in the upper jaw. Gray's also travel in bigger groups than most beaked whales. Dark bluish gray body, bright white beak, lighter underside.

Whale Coloring Pages - It looks like a pocket-sized bottlenose and lives in estuaries and mangrove bays from Central America to southern Brazil. Scientists discovered it can sense the faint electric fields of fish buried in mud, a first for any whale or dolphin. Light gray, pink-tinged belly. — It looks like a pocket-sized bottlenose and lives in estuaries and mangrove bays from Central America to southern Brazil. Scientists discovered it can sense the faint electric fields of fish buried in mud, a first for any whale or dolphin. Light gray, pink-tinged belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - Mature males wear a white cap on the forehead and a white beak, and their bodies are crisscrossed with scars from battles with rivals. They live in the deep North Pacific and are seldom seen alive. Dark gray, with the cap, beak and scars white. — Mature males wear a white cap on the forehead and a white beak, and their bodies are crisscrossed with scars from battles with rivals. They live in the deep North Pacific and are seldom seen alive. Dark gray, with the cap, beak and scars white.

Whale Coloring Pages - For most of a century it was known from two skulls and nothing else. Then herds of dozens turned up in tropical seas, making it the most sociable of all beaked whales. The forehead is rounded and pale. Brown-gray body, cream melon, sides lightly spotted. — For most of a century it was known from two skulls and nothing else. Then herds of dozens turned up in tropical seas, making it the most sociable of all beaked whales. The forehead is rounded and pale. Brown-gray body, cream melon, sides lightly spotted.

Whale Coloring Pages - Whale by name, dolphin by family: it gathers in pods of hundreds and rests at the surface through the midday heat. The face wears a darker mask, the lips are often white. Charcoal gray, deeper on the mask and cape, a light belly patch. — Whale by name, dolphin by family: it gathers in pods of hundreds and rests at the surface through the midday heat. The face wears a darker mask, the lips are often white. Charcoal gray, deeper on the mask and cape, a light belly patch.

Whale Coloring Pages - A permanently smiling face and no dorsal fin, just a low ridge down the back. Along the coasts of China, Korea and Japan it slips into river mouths; one population lives its whole life in the Yangtze, the only porpoise in fresh water. Pale silver-gray. — A permanently smiling face and no dorsal fin, just a low ridge down the back. Along the coasts of China, Korea and Japan it slips into river mouths; one population lives its whole life in the Yangtze, the only porpoise in fresh water. Pale silver-gray.

Whale Coloring Pages - Japanese fishermen knew it for generations as the karasu, the crow, for its black skin, but science named it only a few years ago. It is smaller and darker than its cousin Baird's whale. Nearly black, with faint lighter scratches along the body. — Japanese fishermen knew it for generations as the karasu, the crow, for its black skin, but science named it only a few years ago. It is smaller and darker than its cousin Baird's whale. Nearly black, with faint lighter scratches along the body.

Whale Coloring Pages - Say it like the word say. Among the fastest of the great whales, it feeds by skimming the surface with its mouth open, straining tiny crustaceans. Norwegian whalers named it after the pollock arriving on the same tides. Steel gray, pale oval scars, white belly. — Say it like the word say. Among the fastest of the great whales, it feeds by skimming the surface with its mouth open, straining tiny crustaceans. Norwegian whalers named it after the pollock arriving on the same tides. Steel gray, pale oval scars, white belly.

Whale Coloring Pages - At the edge of the Antarctic ice this bulbous-browed whale dives deep for squid and surfaces among the floes to breathe. It belongs to the beaked whale family despite the rounded forehead. Tan to brown on the back, the forehead and belly paler. — At the edge of the Antarctic ice this bulbous-browed whale dives deep for squid and surfaces among the floes to breathe. It belongs to the beaked whale family despite the rounded forehead. Tan to brown on the back, the forehead and belly paler.

Whale Coloring Pages - The very first beaked whale ever described, from an animal stranded on the Scottish coast more than two centuries ago. The beak is long and slender, and males grow a tooth halfway along each side. Gray body dusted with light spots, whitish below. — The very first beaked whale ever described, from an animal stranded on the Scottish coast more than two centuries ago. The beak is long and slender, and males grow a tooth halfway along each side. Gray body dusted with light spots, whitish below.

Whale Coloring Pages - Nicknamed the saber-toothed whale because the two flattened teeth of the male rise like blades from the lower jaw. The head wears a dark cap, and the body carries pairs of parallel scars from those teeth. Dark gray, cap deeper, scar lines whitish. — Nicknamed the saber-toothed whale because the two flattened teeth of the male rise like blades from the lower jaw. The head wears a dark cap, and the body carries pairs of parallel scars from those teeth. Dark gray, cap deeper, scar lines whitish.

Whale Coloring Pages - This little dolphin shares the Amazon with the pink river dolphin but is a different animal entirely, a true ocean dolphin that moved upriver. It leaps clear of the water, which the boto never does. Light gray above, the belly tinged pink. — This little dolphin shares the Amazon with the pink river dolphin but is a different animal entirely, a true ocean dolphin that moved upriver. It leaps clear of the water, which the boto never does. Light gray above, the belly tinged pink.

Whale Coloring Pages - Few dolphins live farther north; this one is happy in the cold seas around Iceland, Norway and Greenland. Stocky, with a short white beak and a smoky saddle behind the fin. Dark gray overall, the beak white, the saddle and flank streaks pale gray. — Few dolphins live farther north; this one is happy in the cold seas around Iceland, Norway and Greenland. Stocky, with a short white beak and a smoky saddle behind the fin. Dark gray overall, the beak white, the saddle and flank streaks pale gray.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Scale chart – color several whales and dolphins, cut them out, and tape them on a wall in order of real size, a human silhouette drawn beside them for comparison. The blue whale alone will need the longest wall you have.
Ocean window – color the whale, cut around it, and glue it inside a shoebox lid painted deep blue, with shredded green paper for kelp and a layer of cling film across the front for the water.
Spot the species – cover the name at the bottom of a finished page with a strip of paper and let friends guess the animal from the pattern alone, then lift the strip. Orcas are easy; fin whales fool everyone.
Depth map – tape finished pages down a stairwell or hallway from surface swimmers at the top to deep divers at the bottom, with a sign at each level saying how deep that species goes.
Migration string – pin a finished gray whale or humpback to a map of the Pacific and run a length of yarn along its migration route from the breeding lagoons to the feeding grounds.
Glow water – color the whale by day, then paint the empty water around it with glow-in-the-dark paint. Hang it in a child's room and switch off the light for a night-ocean effect.
Mobile – cut out five or six finished dolphins and porpoises, punch a hole in each dorsal fin, and hang them from a branch or wire hanger at different heights so they turn in the air like a pod.
Fact card – fold a sheet of card in half, glue the colored whale on the front and write three facts from the caption inside. A stack of these makes a homemade field guide to the ocean.

More Coloring Pages

Mushroom Coloring Pages - One portobello the size of a dinner plate, alone at the edge of the woods. It is simply a cremini that was allowed to grow up, hence the flat open cap and exposed gills. Dark brown gills under a tan cap is the classic look.

80 pages80 B&WMushroomColoring Pages

Zoo Coloring Pages - Through the gate and straight to the map. The boy is plotting a route, his sister has spotted something ahead, and the carved giraffe, elephant, lion and flamingo on the columns hint at what waits inside. Paint the ZOO letters in one bold color.

80 pages80 B&WZooColoring Pages

Pizza Coloring Pages - One slice pulled free and the cheese stretching after it, refusing to let go. A tomato, a sprig of basil and a mushroom sit beside the pie like ingredients that got left out. Big topping shapes and a thick crust ring - a relaxed start.

80 pages80 B&WPizzaColoring Pages

Nature Coloring Pages - An oak this wide was standing here before the hills got names. The glade around it stays empty, as if the younger trees agreed to keep a respectful distance. Try three greens in the crown: light on top, deep underneath.

80 pages80 B&WNatureColoring Pages

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