Adult Male © Phil Coles

Quick Facts
Length 4.5-6m Distribution Throughout warm temperate and tropical seas across the globe, one of the most widespread species.
Weight 800-1,000kg Identification Strongly arching mouth line, which in males houses large, prominent pair of teeth. Males frequently covered in scarring. Moderate length bill, low melon
Diet Deep sea fish and squid Threats Occasional whaling, ingestion of rubbish, low frequency, high intensity sonar, by-catch.
Group size 1-7 (max 12)  

One of the most widespread of the beaked whales, found in tropical and sub tropical oceans worldwide. The scientific name refers to the beak which is made up of the densest bone of any mammal. Why this bone should be so dense is unknown but it has been suggested that it is an adaptation for fighting between males which are known to head butt and rake each other leaving distinctive scars which have allowed individual photo identification. Adult males have a pronounced arc to their lower jaw which brings the jaw up to the top of the beak on either side of their head where they have the erupted teeth they use in fighting, giving them a distinctive profile which can aid identification in the field. Females and immatures have a less pronounced arc to the jaw line and lack the erupted teeth but can still be identifiable in the field given good views.

In recent years this species has been the subject of a number of research studies – in locations ranging from the Cook Islands and Hawaii in the Pacific to the Bahamas and Canary Islands in the Atlantic, making it the best studied of the Mesoplodonts, and one of very few species to have been studied alive. Recent research has identified habitat characteristics and dive profiles as well as identifying the feeding calls of this species. Knowing the calls of beaked whales means that it may now be possible to conduct passive sonar surveys of potential beaked whale habitat. An invaluable tool if we are to identify areas of key importance to Mesoplodonts and other beaked whales given the difficulty of observing them in the field.

 




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