Adult Male © Phil Coles

Quick Facts
Length Around 7m Distribution Poorly known but probably throughout the deep waters of the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans
Weight ? Identification Similar to southern bottlenose whale but with longer beak and less pronounced melon. Brownish grey colouring with pale head
Diet Deep sea fish and squid. Threats ?
Group size 1-100, 15-20 typical.  

Until recently this species was only known from two beach-washed skulls one found in Somalia and the other in Queensland, Australia. In recent years, however, a couple of freshly stranded individuals have been discovered and another couple of misidentified specimens recognised. With the discovery of the fresh specimens the field characteristics of this species have become known, confirming that this species has been responsible for a number of sightings of a mystery beaked whale in the southern Pacific. This species is found in the Indian and Southern Pacific Oceans, and has been regularly seen in the waters around the Maldive Islands in recent years, suggesting that this may be a particularly important area for this species.

Key references:

Dalebout, M.L., Ross, G.J.B., Baker, C.S., Anderson , R.C., Best, P.B., Cockcroft, V.G., Hinsz, H.L., Peddemors, V. and Pitman, R.L. 2003. Appearance, distribution and genetic distinctiveness of Longman's beaked whale, Indopacetus pacificus. Marine Mammal Science, 19: 421 - 461.

Pitman, R.L., Palacios, D.M., Brennan, P.L.R., Brennan, B.J., Balcomb, K.C. and Miyashita, T. 1999. Sightings and Possible Identity of a Bottlenose Whale in the Tropical Indo-Pacific: Indopacetus pacificus? Marine Mammal Science, 15: 531 - 549.

 




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