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A listing of the several types of whales that features each dwelling whale species, from the smallest (the dwarf sperm whale), to the biggest (the blue whale).
Web page Contents
Interactive Desk Of Whale Species
All Whales Information & Photos
What Is A Whale?
Whales are marine mammals belonging to the group Cetacea, which additionally consists of dolphins and porpoises. Whales are recognized for his or her massive dimension, with many whale species weighing a number of tonnes.
Though descended from land animals, whales are absolutely tailored to aquatic life, possessing streamlined our bodies for environment friendly swimming, flippers for maneuvering, and a paddle-like tail, often known as a fluke, for propulsion.
Regardless of dwelling within the ocean, whales are air-breathing animals and due to this fact need to floor periodically with the intention to breathe through a blowhole on prime of their heads.
Whales are clever animals, recognized for his or her advanced social buildings and communication programs, together with the distinctive sound of whale track.
Two Foremost Sorts Of Whales
There are two predominant varieties of whales: baleen whales of suborder Mysticeti, and toothed whales of suborder Odontoceti. Baleen whales are filter feeders that devour huge quantities of small prey equivalent to krill and bait fish. Toothed whales sometimes hunt bigger prey equivalent to fish, squid and even different marine mammals, utilizing echolocation.
The checklist of whale species beneath accommodates data on each acknowledged whale species. In compiling this checklist, we consulted each the Catalogue of Life and the Mammal Species of the World databases. The conservation standing of every species comes from the IUCN Purple Record, and is right on the time of publishing.
Notice that the checklist doesn’t embody dolphins (together with the killer whale), which, regardless of being toothed whales, are normally handled as a separate group. You may see a listing of each dolphin species on this web page: Sorts Of Dolphins.
Whale Species Record
Desk Of Whale Species
| Frequent Identify | Scientific Identify | Suborder | Household | Conservation Standing | Avg. Size (m) | Avg. Size (ft) | Avg. Weight (kg) | Avg. Weight (lb) | The place Discovered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon bowdoini | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.50 | 14.76 | 1300 | 2866.01 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Antarctic Minke Whale | Balaenoptera bonaerensis | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Close to Threatened | 8.50 | 27.89 | 7000 | 15432.34 | Southern Ocean | |
| Arnoux’s Beaked Whale | Berardius arnuxii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 9.75 | 31.99 | 4500 | 9920.79 | Southern Ocean | |
| Baird’s Beaked Whale | Berardius bairdii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 12.00 | 39.37 | 12000 | 26455.44 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Beluga Whale | Delphinapterus leucas | Odontoceti | Monodontidae | Least Concern | 4.00 | 13.12 | 1500 | 3306.93 | Arctic areas | |
| Blainville’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon densirostris | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 4.70 | 15.42 | 1000 | 2204.62 | World tropical and temperate oceans | |
| Blue Whale | Balaenoptera musculus | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Endangered | 24.00 | 78.74 | 120000 | 264554.40 | World oceans | |
| Bowhead Whale | Balaena mysticetus | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Least Concern | 18.00 | 59.06 | 100000 | 220462.00 | Arctic areas | |
| Bryde’s Whale | Balaenoptera edeni | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Concern | 15.00 | 49.21 | 20000 | 44092.40 | Heat oceans worldwide | |
| Frequent Minke Whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Concern | 8.50 | 27.89 | 7500 | 16534.65 | World oceans | |
| Cuvier’s Beaked Whale | Ziphius cavirostris | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 7.00 | 22.97 | 3000 | 6613.86 | World oceans | |
| Deraniyagala’s beaked whale | Mesoplodon hotaula | Odontoceti | Hyperoodontidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.50 | 14.76 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean | |
| Dwarf Sperm Whale | Kogia sima | Odontoceti | Kogiidae | Least Concern | 2.70 | 8.86 | 250 | 551.16 | Heat oceans worldwide | |
| Fin Whale | Balaenoptera physalus | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Susceptible | 22.00 | 72.18 | 70000 | 154323.40 | World oceans | |
| Gervais’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon europaeus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 5.50 | 18.04 | 1300 | 2866.01 | Atlantic Ocean | |
| Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon ginkgodens | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.90 | 16.08 | 1100 | 2425.08 | Tropical and heat temperate oceans | |
| Grey Whale | Eschrichtius robustus | Mysticeti | Eschrichtiidae | Least Concern | 14.90 | 48.88 | 36000 | 79366.32 | North Pacific and North Atlantic | |
| Grey’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon grayi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 5.70 | 18.70 | 1200 | 2645.54 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Hector’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon hectori | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.20 | 13.78 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Hubbs’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon carlhubbsi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 5.00 | 16.40 | 1200 | 2645.54 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Humpback Whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Concern | 16.00 | 52.49 | 30000 | 66138.60 | World oceans | |
| Longman’s Beaked Whale | Indopacetus pacificus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 6.50 | 21.33 | 2700 | 5952.47 | Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans | |
| Narwhal | Monodon monoceros | Odontoceti | Monodontidae | Least Concern | 4.70 | 15.42 | 1600 | 3527.39 | Arctic areas | |
| North Atlantic Proper Whale | Eubalaena glacialis | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Critically Endangered | 15.00 | 49.21 | 60000 | 132277.20 | North Atlantic Ocean | |
| North Pacific Proper Whale | Eubalaena japonica | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Endangered | 15.00 | 49.21 | 60000 | 132277.20 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Northern Bottlenose Whale | Hyperoodon ampullatus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Close to Threatened | 9.80 | 32.15 | 7000 | 15432.34 | North Atlantic Ocean | |
| Omura’s whale | Balaenoptera omurai | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Knowledge Poor | 10.50 | 34.45 | 14000 | 30864.68 | Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean | |
| Perrin’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon perrini | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Endangered | 4.00 | 13.12 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Jap North Pacific Ocean | |
| Pygmy Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon peruvianus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 3.90 | 12.80 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Tropical japanese Pacific Ocean | |
| Pygmy Proper Whale | Caperea marginata | Mysticeti | Neobalaenidae | Least Concern | 6.50 | 21.33 | 3500 | 7716.17 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Pygmy Sperm Whale | Kogia breviceps | Odontoceti | Kogiidae | Least Concern | 3.50 | 11.48 | 400 | 881.85 | World oceans | |
| Sato’s beaked whale | Berardius minimus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Close to Threatened | 6.50 | 21.33 | 6500 | 14330.03 | Pacific Ocean | |
| Sei Whale | Balaenoptera borealis | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Endangered | 15.00 | 49.21 | 20000 | 44092.40 | World | |
| Shepherd’s Beaked Whale | Tasmacetus shepherdi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 6.50 | 21.33 | 3000 | 6613.86 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Southern Bottlenose Whale | Hyperoodon planifrons | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 7.50 | 24.61 | 5800 | 12786.80 | Southern Ocean | |
| Southern Proper Whale | Eubalaena australis | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Least Concern | 15.00 | 49.21 | 60000 | 132277.20 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Sowerby’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon bidens | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 5.50 | 18.04 | 1000 | 2204.62 | North Atlantic Ocean | |
| Spade-toothed Whale | Mesoplodon traversii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 5.50 | 18.04 | 1400 | 3086.47 | South Pacific Ocean | |
| Sperm Whale | Physeter catodon | Odontoceti | Physeteridae | Susceptible | 16.00 | 52.49 | 45000 | 99207.90 | World oceans | |
| Stejneger’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon stejnegeri | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Close to Threatened | 5.30 | 17.39 | 1200 | 2645.54 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Strap-Toothed Whale / Layard’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon layardii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 6.20 | 20.34 | 1300 | 2866.01 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Tropical Bottlenose Whale | Indopacetus pacificus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 6.50 | 21.33 | 2700 | 5952.00 | Indian Ocean | |
| True’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon mirus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Concern | 5.30 | 17.39 | 1400 | 3086.47 | North Atlantic Ocean and Southern Hemisphere |
Record Of All Whales
Andrews’ Beaked Whale
No Picture Out there
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon bowdoini
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere (particularly the cool temperate waters of the South Pacific)
Size: 4.5-5.5m / 14.7-18ft
Weight: 1,100-1,300kg / 2,425-2,866lb
One of many least-known cetaceans, Andrews’ beaked whale has by no means been seen alive within the wild. All that we all know of the species comes from specimens washed up on the shores of Australia, New Zealand and close by islands.
This elusive whale species has a strong, spindle-shaped physique with a small dorsal fin. Males are usually darkish gray with a white ‘cap’ on their head, whereas females and younger are considered lighter in colour.
Like different members of the beaked whale household, Ziphiidae, Andrews’ beaked whale has a slim, dolphin-like snout, or “beak”. It has solely a single pair of tooth – these of the male take the type of tusks that reach out of the perimeters of the mouth. Scarring current on the our bodies of males point out that the tooth are used as weapons.
Antarctic Minke Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters
Size: 7.5-10.7m / 24.6-35ft
Weight: 5-10 tons (5000-10000 kg) / 11023-22046lb
The Antarctic minke whale, often known as the southern minke whale, has a slender physique and is the third-smallest baleen whale (the second-smallest is the associated frequent minke whale; the smallest is the pygmy proper whale).
As a result of its small dimension, low oil yield, and desire for pack ice areas, that are inaccessible to whaling ships, the Antarctic minke whale escaped the eye of whalers when the trade was at its peak. As a result of its relative abundance, nevertheless, the species is at this time one of the crucial commonly-hunted whales.
Arnoux’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Berardius arnuxii
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Southern Ocean
Size: 9-12m / 29.5-39.4ft
Weight: 9,000-14,000 kg / 19,842-30,865lb
Arnoux’s beaked whale is a big member of the beaked whale household and is understood for its desire for deep, chilly waters within the Southern Hemisphere.
The species is often known as the southern four-toothed whale; like different members of the genus Berardius it has simply 4 tooth. The whale’s entrance tooth are seen even when its mouth is closed.
Arnoux’s beaked whale has a cylindrical physique with a small, backward-pointing dorsal fin, and may be very related in look to the closely-related Baird’s beaked whale.
The species shouldn’t be well-studied, partly attributable to its distant Southern Ocean habitat and in addition as a result of it has not been focused by the whaling trade.
Baird’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Berardius bairdii
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Size: 10-13m / 32.8-42.7ft
Weight: 10,000-12,000kg / 22,046-26,455lb
Baird’s beaked whale is the biggest member of the beaked whale household, and the second-largest toothed whale after the sperm whale.
The species is characterised by its lengthy beak and slender physique. Just like the associated, and similar-looking, Arnoux’s beaked whale, it belongs to the genus Berardius.
Whales on this group are recognized each as four-toothed whales (on behalf of their 4 tooth), and large beaked whales (on behalf of their massive dimension in relation to different beaked whales of household Ziphiidae).
Baird’s beaked whale is social and normally present in pods of 5 to twenty people. Like different beaked whales it’s a deep diver, recognized to enterprise to depths of over one kilometer because it forages for squid, fish and crustaceans. Its dives can last as long as an hour.
Beluga Whale
Scientific identify: Delphinapterus leucas
Household: Monodontidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Arctic and Subarctic areas
Size: 4-5.5m / 13-18ft
Weight: 1100-1600kg / 2425-3527lb
The Beluga Whale, often known as the white whale, is without doubt one of the most distinctive varieties of whales attributable to its brilliant white colour and the distinctive “melon” on its head, which is used for echolocation.
One of many smallest whale species, the beluga whale is often known as the ocean canary attributable to its high-pitched twitter.
Belugas are extraordinarily social creatures, typically seen touring in pods of 10 or extra. It belongs to the household Monodontidae, which accommodates only one different species, the narwhal.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Beluga Whale Information
Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon densirostris
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Heat temperate and tropical seas worldwide
Size: 4.4-4.8m / 14.4-15.7ft
Weight: 930-1360kg / 2050-3000lb
Blainville’s beaked whale is a medium to small-sized whale belonging to the beaked whale household, Ziphiidae.
Like all beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whale has a particular pointed snout that resembles that of a dolphin. The bones of Blainville’s beaked whale’s snout are among the many densest and stiffest of all animal bones.
The male’s tusk-like tooth venture out of the mouth from its decrease jaw. The tooth are used for preventing different males, proof for which is seen within the typically scarred look of the males’ pores and skin.
Like many beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whale is troublesome to review attributable to its deep-sea habitat and elusive nature.
Blue Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera musculus
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: All oceans besides the Arctic
Size: 25-30m / 82-98.4ft
Weight: 100,000-150,000kg / 220,462-330,693lb
The blue whale is the biggest animal ever to have lived on earth, exceeding the dimensions of even the biggest dinosaurs. Its tongue alone can weigh as a lot as an elephant, and its coronary heart as a lot as an vehicle.
Regardless of its monumental dimension, the blue whale feeds virtually completely on tiny shrimp-like crustaceans known as krill.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Blue Whale Information
Bowhead Whale
Scientific identify: Balaena mysticetus
Household: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Arctic and subarctic waters
Size: 14-18m / 45.9-59.1ft
Weight: 75,000-100,000kg / 165,346-220,462lb
The bowhead whale, often known as the Arctic whale, is called for its large curved, or “bowed”, mouth, which is round one third of the size of its physique. It’s the largest mouth of any animal.
Discovered within the Arctic, the bowhead whale makes use of its big cranium to interrupt via the Arctic ice to make respiratory holes. One of many longest-living mammals, the bowhead whale can dwell for over 200 years.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Bowhead Whale Information
Bryde’s Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera edeni
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Heat temperate and tropical seas worldwide
Size: 12-15m / 39.4-49.2ft
Weight: 12,000-25,000kg / 26,455-55,115lb
Bryde’s whale is a baleen whale, considered one of a bunch of similar-looking, and closely-related species that features the frequent Bryde’s whale and Eden’s whale.
Bryde’s whale has a protracted, slender physique, might be recognized by the three outstanding ridges on its straight snout.
The species is called after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian consul to South Africa who helped set up the primary trendy whaling station within the nation.
Frequent Minke Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Primarily within the North Atlantic and North Pacific
Size: 7-10m / 23-32.8ft
Weight: 5,000-10,000kg / 11,023-22,046lb
The frequent minke whale is the smallest and most considerable of the rorqual whales, a bunch of whales characterised by the ridged pores and skin of their throats, which permits the quantity of their mouths to enormously increase.
The frequent minke whale has a modern physique and a sharply pointed snout. Not like most different whales, it typically approaches ships, making it extra seen than many different species.
Like all baleen whales, the frequent minke is a filter feeder, separating meals from seawater with its comb-like baleen plates. It feeds on fish, krill and squid, and itself is hunted by the killer whale.
In the present day, the frequent minke whale is without doubt one of the whale species most commonly-targeted by whalers.
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Ziphius cavirostris
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Distributed worldwide in deep offshore waters
Size: 5-7m / 16.4-23ft
Weight: 2000-3000kg / 4409-6614lb
The record-breaking Cuvier’s beaked whale has each the deepest and the longest recorded dives of all whales. The species has been recorded at depths of as much as 2.992 km / 1.86 miles, and its dives can final for durations of as much as 3 hours 42 minutes.
Cuvier’s beaked whale has a strong physique, a small head relative to its physique dimension, and a brief beak. Solely the male’s tooth are seen within the mouth; the species is believed to seize meals utilizing suction. Like different beaked whales, the food plan of Cuvier’s beaked whale consists primarily of squid.
Deraniyagala’s Beaked Whale
No Picture Out there
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon hotaula
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Heat tropical waters of the western Indian Ocean and central Pacific
Size: 4–5 m / 13–16 ft
Weight (estimated): 1,600 – 2,000 kg / 3,527.4 – 4,409.2 lb
Deraniyagala’s beaked whale is a toothed whale of the beaked whale household Ziphiidae. It’s native to the nice and cozy tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. With adults reaching lengths of round 5 meters, the species is without doubt one of the smallest throughout the Ziphiidae household.
The species is understood solely from stranded people and little or no is due to this fact recognized about its conduct and way of life.
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Scientific identify: Kogia sima
Household: Kogiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Worldwide in tropical and temperate seas
Size: 2.7m / 8.9ft
Weight: 136-272kg / 300-600lb
Smaller than many dolphins, the dwarf sperm whale is the smallest species of whale.
The dwarf sperm whale has a blunt snout and a small dorsal fin. It has tooth solely on its decrease jaw, and makes use of suction to seize prey. When startled, the species ejects a thick cloud of red-brown liquid into the water.
Like its bigger relative the sperm whale (the biggest toothed whale), the dwarf sperm whale has a spermaceti organ in its head, which is believed for use for echolocation and presumably for depth management.
Fin Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera physalus
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Susceptible
The place discovered: World distribution in all oceans
Size: 18-20m / 59-66ft
Weight: 40,000-80,000kg / 88,185-176,370lb
The fin whale, often known as the finback whale, is the second-largest animal after the blue whale. It has a modern, streamlined physique and is understood for its pace, typically being known as the “greyhound of the ocean.” Regardless of its dimension, it feeds primarily on small education fish and crustaceans equivalent to krill.
An uncommon attribute of the fin whale is the asymmetrical coloration of the decrease jaw, with the precise facet being paler than the left.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Fin Whales Information
Gervais’ Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon europaeus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Atlantic Ocean, notably across the West Indies and the Canary Islands
Size: 4.5-5.2m / 14.7-17ft
Weight: 1000-1200kg / 2205-2646lb
Gervais’ beaked whale is a poorly recognized species of beaked whale. It has a slender, spindle-shaped physique and a small dorsal fin. The species is usually discovered stranded on the coasts of North America. Only a few sightings of dwelling people are recognized.
Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon ginkgodens
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Tropical and heat temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans
Size: 4.9-5.1m / 16-16.7ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The ginkgo-toothed beaked whale is a hardly ever seen beaked whale. It will get its identify from the form of the male’s tooth, which resemble the leaves of a ginkgo tree.
Nearly all that’s recognized about this species comes from stranded specimens, as it’s virtually by no means seen at sea.
Grey Whale
Scientific identify: Eschrichtius robustus
Household: Eschrichtiidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Primarily within the North Pacific Ocean
Size: 12-15m / 39.4-49.2ft
Weight: 27,000-36,000kg / 59,524-79,366lb
The grey whale is a big baleen whale species recognized for its long-distance migrations, touring between feeding and breeding grounds yearly.
The species inhabits the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, with two major populations acknowledged: the Jap North Pacific inhabitants and the critically endangered Western North Pacific inhabitants.
Grey whales are simply identifiable by their mottled grey pores and skin, which regularly hosts patches of whale lice and barnacles. Not like many different whales, grey whales lack a dorsal fin and as an alternative have a sequence of small humps alongside their again in the direction of the tail flukes.
The grey whale is a backside feeder with a food plan consisting primarily of small crustaceans equivalent to amphipods. The whale filters these from the mud of the ocean mattress with its baleen plates.
Grey’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon grayi
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere, primarily in cooler waters
Size: 5.5-5.7m / 18-18.7ft
Weight: 1100-1300kg / 2425-2866lb
Grey’s beaked whale, often known as the Haast’s beaked whale or scamperdown whale, is a species of beaked whale that predominantly inhabits the waters of the Southern Hemisphere, notably round New Zealand and South Africa. It’s one of many bigger members of the genus Mesoplodon, with adults reaching lengths of as much as 5.7 meters.
The bodily look of Grey’s Beaked Whale resembles that of different members of its household. It has a modern, torpedo-shaped physique and a particular lengthy, slender beak, which is especially pronounced on this species.
Like different beaked whales, Grey’s Beaked Whales are deep divers, able to reaching nice depths to forage for squid and fish. It is without doubt one of the most incessantly stranded beaked whales within the Southern Hemisphere, typically stranding in teams, considered one of which contained 28 people.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Grey Whale Information
Hector’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon hectori
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere, primarily in cooler waters
Size: 4.2m / 13.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Hector’s beaked whale is a poorly recognized species of beaked whale, named after Sir James Hector, the curator of the Colonial Museum in Wellington, New Zealand. It has a strong physique with a small, triangular dorsal fin.
Hubbs’ Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon carlhubbsi
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Size: 4.9-5.2m / 16-17ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Hubbs’ beaked whale is a rarely-seen species of beaked whale. It’s acknowledged by its distinctive beak and white coloring on the entrance a part of its physique. Like different beaked whales, it’s deep-diving and troublesome to review attributable to its habitat and elusive conduct.
Humpback Whale
Scientific identify: Megaptera novaeangliae
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Oceans and seas worldwide
Size: 12-16m / 39.4-52.5ft
Weight: 25,000-30,000kg / 55,115-66,138lb
The humpback whale will get its identify from the distinctive humped look of its again when it arches in preparation for a dive. This distinctive whale will also be acknowledged by its lengthy, wing-like flippers and frequent breaching and different floor exercise.
This iconic species is usually the main focus of whale-watching excursions. Among the many finest locations to see humpback whales embody Alaska’s Glacier Bay Nationwide Park, Massachusetts’ Stellwagen Financial institution Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, California’s Monterey Bay, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, and Hervey Bay in Australia.
The humpback whale is understood for the haunting track of the male. The precise objective of the track is unclear, however it’s believed to be a part of the species’ mating conduct.
The humpback whale migrates as much as 25,000 kilometers annually, from polar waters the place it feeds, to tropical or subtropical waters the place it breeds and offers beginning.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Humpback Whale Information
Narwhal
Scientific identify: Monodon monoceros
Household: Monodontidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Arctic waters round Greenland, Canada, and Russia
Size: 3.95-5.5m / 13-18ft
Weight: 800-1600kg / 1764-3527lb
The narwhal is understood for lengthy, spiraled tusk of the male. The tusk, which is definitely an elongated tooth, can develop as much as 3 meters in size. Narwhals spend their lives in Arctic waters, the place they hunt for fish, squid, and shrimp.
The narwhal belongs to the household Monodontidae, the one different member of which is the beluga whale.
North Atlantic Proper Whale
Scientific identify: Eubalaena glacialis
Household: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Critically Endangered
The place discovered: Western North Atlantic, from Florida to the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Size: 11-18m / 36-59ft
Weight: 40,000-70,000kg / 88,185-154,324lb
The North Atlantic proper whale is without doubt one of the world’s most endangered massive whale species, with a inhabitants at present numbering below 500. It has a stocky physique, no dorsal fin, and distinctive callosities on its head. The species is a sluggish swimmer, averaging 6 km/h (3.7 mph).
The North Atlantic proper whale is considered one of three species of proper whale (the others being the North Pacific proper whale and the Southern proper whale).
It’s stated that proper whales are so-named as a result of they have been the “proper” species to hunt, being slow-swimming with massive quantities of blubber, though this clarification has been put unsure by some authorities.
Proper whales have been hunted virtually to extinction when the whaling trade was at its peak.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: North Atlantic Proper Whale Information
North Pacific Proper Whale
Scientific identify: Eubalaena japonica
Household: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Size: 15-18m / 49-59ft
Weight: 50,000-80,000kg / 110,231-176,370lb
The North Pacific proper whale is a baleen whale related in look to its Atlantic cousin. It has a broad, flat again with no dorsal fin and enormous, triangular flippers. This species was closely focused by business whalers prior to now, and its inhabitants stays small at this time.
Northern Bottlenose Whale
Scientific identify: Hyperoodon ampullatus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean
Size: 6-9.8m / 20-32ft
Weight: 5,800-7,500kg / 12,786-16,535lb
The northern bottlenose whale is understood for its distinctive bulbous brow, or melon, and lengthy, tube-like beak. It one of many deepest-diving whales, recognized to achieve depths of as much as 2,339 m / 7,674 ft. in dives that may final for over two hours. The species is understood for its curiosity in the direction of boats, which sadly made it straightforward prey for hunters prior to now.
Omura’s Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera omurai
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean
Size: 10-11.5 m / 33-38ft.
Weight: 4,536-9,072 kg / 10,000-20,000 lb
Omura’s whale is a comparatively small baleen whale species that was formally acknowledged by scientists in 2003. The species is called after Japanese cetologist Hideo Omura.
Omura’s whale is characterised by its modern, slender physique with a definite ridge working down its again to the dorsal fin. The left and proper sides of the species’ decrease jaw are asymmetrically-colored, with the precise facet being lighter than the left facet. It additionally has asymmetrically-colored baleen plates, with the precise baleen being white and the left being darkish, which is considered related to their feeding conduct.
Omura’s whale is primarily present in tropical and subtropical waters across the coastlines of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It’s typically sighted alone or in small teams, and far of its conduct and way of life, together with migration and breeding patterns, stays a thriller because of the species’ elusive nature and its comparatively current scientific recognition.
Perrin’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon perrini
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: Jap North Pacific Ocean
Size: 4-4.5m / 13-14.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Perrin’s beaked whale is a rarely-seen beaked whale species. It was solely acknowledged as a separate species in 2002. Nearly all that’s recognized about this species comes from strandings, as it’s virtually by no means seen within the wild. Like different beaked whales, it’s seemingly a deep diver.
Pygmy Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon peruvianus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Jap tropical Pacific Ocean
Size: 3.9-4.2m / 12.8-13.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The pygmy beaked whale is the smallest species of beaked whale. It’s recognized from a small variety of strandings and at-sea sightings. Like different beaked whales, it’s deep-diving and elusive, which makes it difficult to review.
Pygmy Proper Whale
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Scientific identify: Caperea marginata
Household: Neobalaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Size: 6-6.5m / 19.7-21.3ft
Weight: 3,000-3,500kg / 6,614-7,716lb
The pygmy proper whale is the smallest of the baleen whales. It’s characterised by a small, slim rostrum (snout) and a falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin. The species may be very hardly ever seen at sea; most of what’s recognized about it comes from strandings.
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Scientific identify: Kogia breviceps
Household: Kogiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Worldwide in tropical and temperate seas
Size: 3.5m / 11.5ft
Weight: 400kg / 882lb
Smaller than a bottlenose dolphin, the pygmy sperm whale is without doubt one of the smallest species of toothed whales. Till 1998, it was thought-about the identical species because the dwarf sperm whale; each species belong to the household Kogiidae.
Just like the dwarf sperm whale and sperm whale, the pygmy sperm whale produces a waxy substance often known as spermaceti in an organ in its head. That is thought to assist echolocation, which seemingly performs an vital half in looking.
Like these of different sperm whales, the blowhole of the pygmy sperm is positioned on the left facet of its head.
Sato’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Berardius minimus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Size: 6.9 m / 22.64 ft
Weight: Unknown
Little is understood about Sato’s Beaked Whale, which is the smallest member of the enormous beaked whale / four-toothed whale genus Berardius. This species was solely formally acknowledged and named in 2019 following detailed genetic and morphological evaluation.
The species was named after Hal Sato, a researcher who helped determine the species.
Like different beaked whales, Sato’s beaked whale has a particular beak, streamlined physique, and a dorsal fin set comparatively far again on the physique.
Sei Whale
Scientific identify: Balaenoptera borealis
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: Worldwide in deep, offshore waters
Size: 14-20m / 45.9-65.6ft
Weight: 20,000-30,000kg / 44,092-66,139lb
The sei whale is a baleen whale, the third-largest rorqual whale after the blue whale and the fin whale. It has a streamlined physique that’s darkish gray or blue-grey in colour with paler markings on its underside.
Different distinguishing options of the sei whale are: a single ridge extending from the blowhole to the tip of the snout; tall, falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin positioned about two-thirds down the again; and baleen plates which might be darkish and fairly high quality, designed to filter small prey from the water.
The sei whale inhabits most oceans and adjoining seas, preferring deep offshore waters. It avoids polar and tropical waters and semi-enclosed our bodies of water. Its food plan consists primarily of krill and different small education fish, which it consumes each by skimming the water’s floor and by lunge feeding.
Like different baleen whales, the sei whale is understood to undertake lengthy migrations from cool and temperate feeding areas in the summertime to hotter breeding areas within the winter.
Shepherd’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Tasmacetus shepherdi
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Size: 6-7m / 19.7-23ft
Weight: 3,000-4,000kg / 6,614-8,818lb
Shepherd’s beaked whale is a novel species among the many beaked whales as it’s the solely species recognized to have useful tooth in each jaws. It is usually one of many few beaked whales that eats fish in addition to cephalopods. Sightings of this uncommon whale species are few and much between; most of what we learn about it comes from strandings.
Southern Bottlenose Whale
Scientific identify: Hyperoodon planifrons
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Size: 7.5-8.2m / 24.6-26.9ft
Weight: 5,800-7,500kg / 12,786-16,535lb
The southern bottlenose whale is acknowledged by its massive brow and elongated beak. It’s smaller than its cousin, the northern beaked whale.
One of many better-studied species of beaked whales, the southern bottlenose whale is usually seen in teams, and is understood for its deep dives to hunt squid and krill. It is without doubt one of the most frequently-sighted beaked whales within the Antarctic Circle.
Southern Proper Whale
Scientific identify: Eubalaena australis
Household: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Size: 14-18m / 45.9-59.1ft
Weight: 60,000-80,000kg / 132,277-176,370lb
The southern proper whale is a big baleen whale with broad, paddle-like flippers and a large again that lacks a dorsal fin. Discovered within the chilly waters of the Southern Hemisphere, it carefully resembles its cousins the North Atlantic proper whale and the North Pacific proper whale; the three closely-related species have been as soon as considered a single species.
Collectively, three proper whales make up the genus Eubalaena.
The southern proper whale tends to strategy boats carefully, typically interacting with them for prolonged intervals, which makes it a preferred species for whale-watching.
Sowerby’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon bidens
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean
Size: 5.5m / 18ft
Weight: 1,250-1,400kg / 2,755-3,086lb
Named after the English naturalist James Sowerby, Sowerby’s beaked whale is a medium-sized species of beaked whale present in chilly waters of the North Atlantic. Like different beaked whales, it has an elongated, dolphin-like beak, rotund physique, and a notched tail fluke.
Sowerby’s beaked whale is a deep diver, recognized to dive to depths of over 1km. Not like most different beaked whales, it primarily hunts fish, slightly than squid.
Spade-Toothed Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon traversii
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: South Pacific Ocean
Size: 5.5m / 18ft
Weight: 1,400 kg / 3,086.47 lb
The spade-toothed whale is a dolphin-sized beaked whale discovered within the southern Pacific Ocean. This seldom-seen animal is without doubt one of the world’s rarest cetaceans.
Till 2010, when a mom and calf have been stranded in New Zealand, the species was recognized solely from a couple of bone samples.
The spade-toothed whale’s identify derives from the form of its tooth, that are curved and spade-like, and visual solely in males. The male’s tooth are round 23 cm (9 in) in size.
Sperm Whale
Scientific identify: Physeter macrocephalus
Household: Physeteridae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Susceptible
The place discovered: Worldwide
Size: 11-20.5m / 36-67.3ft
Weight: 25,000-45,000kg / 55,116-99,208lb
The sperm whale is not only the biggest of the toothed whales, additionally it is the world’s largest toothed predator. The species is known for its deep dives, staying submerged for about an hour and reaching depths of as much as 2,000 meters / 1.24 Miles.
The sperm whale is definitely acknowledged attributable to its block-shaped head. Produced by an organ inside a sperm whale’s head is a substance known as spermaceti, which was as soon as utilized in oil lamps and lubricants. The species was as soon as focused by whalers for its spermaceti and blubber.
The fictional “white whale” Moby Dick that featured in Herman Melville’s novel of the identical identify was a sperm whale.
You could find out extra about this species on this web page: Sperm Whale Information
Stejneger’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon stejnegeri
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Size: 5.3-5.5m / 17.4-18ft
Weight: 1,300-1,400kg / 2,866-3,086lb
Stejneger’s beaked whale, often known as the “saber-toothed whale”, is characterised by its elongated beak and the 2 outstanding tooth of the male that protrude upward and backward from the decrease jaw.
Stejneger’s beaked whale is understood to be a deep diver, like most beaked whales. Additionally like different members of its household, Stejneger’s beaked whale incessantly bears the scars attributable to bites from the cookiecutter shark.
Strap-Toothed Whale (Layard’s Beaked Whale)
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Scientific identify: Mesoplodon layardii
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Circumpolar in cool temperate Southern Hemisphere waters
Size: 5.9-6.2m / 19.4-20.3ft
Weight: 1,000-1,300kg / 2,204-2,866lb
The strap-toothed whale, often known as Layard’s beaked whale, is exclusive amongst cetaceans for the male’s pair of lengthy, strap-like tooth that curl up and over the higher jaw. The species’ lengthy tooth may very well stop its beak from absolutely opening, probably limiting the dimensions of prey it could devour.
Sometimes for members of its household, the strap-toothed whale inhabits deep waters and is a deep-diver; its food plan consists of deep water squid, together with the vampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis.
Tropical Bottlenose Whale / Longman’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Indopacetus pacificus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Size: 7.6m / 25ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The tropical bottlenose whale, often known as the Indo-Pacific beaked whale or Longman’s beaked whale, is a little-known cetacean that inhabits the nice and cozy waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Till the Nineties, the species was recognized solely from two skulls. It’s thought to inhabit deep offshore waters and to be a deep diver.
The tropical bottlenose whale is extremely elusive, with most details about it coming from stranded specimens, making any sighting of this distinctive creature a momentous occasion.
True’s Beaked Whale
Scientific identify: Mesoplodon mirus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean and components of the Southern Hemisphere
Size: 5.4m / 17.7ft
Weight: 1,400-1,500kg / 3,086-3,307lb
True’s beaked whale is a deep-diving whale discovered within the northern Atlantic Ocean. It’s named after Frederick W. True (Wikipedia), a former curator at america Nationwide Museum. (True’s vole and True’s shrew mole additionally bear his identify.)
True’s beaked whale is an elusive species, practically at all times sighted in waters over 1,000 meters in depth. From stranded specimens, it’s recognized that small fish function predominantly in its food plan.
Uncover Extra With Energetic Wild
Uncover extra about whales and associated sea animals on the next pages on Energetic Wild:
Go to our predominant animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
You may see extra ocean animals on this web page: Ocean Animals Record with Photos & Information
You may see photos and info on EVERY species of dolphin on this web page: Sorts of Dolphins
Discover out the distinction between dolphins and porpoises: Dolphin Vs Porpoise
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