An inventory 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
Two Fundamental Sorts Of Whales
Interactive Desk Of Whale Species
What Is A Whale?
Whales are marine mammals belonging to the group Cetacea, which additionally consists of dolphins and porpoises. Whales are identified for his or her giant 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, referred to as a fluke, for propulsion.
Regardless of dwelling within the ocean, whales are air-breathing animals and subsequently must floor periodically so as to breathe through a blowhole on prime of their heads.
Whales are clever animals, identified for his or her advanced social constructions and communication programs, together with the distinctive sound of whale tune.
Two Fundamental Sorts Of Whales
There are two major varieties of whales: baleen whales of suborder Mysticeti, and toothed whales of suborder Odontoceti. Baleen whales are filter feeders that eat huge quantities of small prey equivalent to krill and bait fish. Toothed whales usually hunt bigger prey equivalent to fish, squid and even different marine mammals, utilizing echolocation.
The checklist of whale species under comprises 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.
Word that the checklist doesn’t embrace dolphins (together with the killer whale), which, regardless of being toothed whales, are normally handled as a separate group. You may see an inventory of each dolphin species on this web page: Sorts Of Dolphins.
Whale Species Record
Desk Of Whale Species
| Widespread 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 | Information 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 | |
| Widespread 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 | Information 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 | Information 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 | Information Poor | 4.20 | 13.78 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Hubbs’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon carlhubbsi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Information 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 | Information 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 jap 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 | Information 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 | Information 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 Photograph Accessible
Scientific title: Mesoplodon bowdoini
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 sturdy, 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 regarded as 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 enamel – 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 enamel are used as weapons.
Antarctic Minke Whale
Scientific title: 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, also called 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).
On account 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 business was at its peak. On account of its relative abundance, nevertheless, the species is immediately one of the vital commonly-hunted whales.
Arnoux’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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 also called the southern four-toothed whale; like different members of the genus Berardius it has simply 4 enamel. The whale’s entrance enamel are seen even when its mouth is closed.
Arnoux’s beaked whale has a cylindrical physique with a small, backward-pointing dorsal fin, and could be very comparable in look to the closely-related Baird’s beaked whale.
The species isn’t well-studied, partly as a consequence of its distant Southern Ocean habitat and in addition as a result of it has not been focused by the whaling business.
Baird’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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 identified each as four-toothed whales (on behalf of their 4 enamel), and large beaked whales (on behalf of their giant 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, identified 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 title: 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, also called the white whale, is likely one of the most distinctive varieties of whales as a consequence of its shiny white colour and the distinctive “melon” on its head, which is used for echolocation.
One of many smallest whale species, the beluga whale is also called the ocean canary as a consequence of its high-pitched twitter.
Belugas are extraordinarily social creatures, usually seen touring in pods of 10 or extra. It belongs to the household Monodontidae, which comprises only one different species, the narwhal.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Beluga Whale Info
Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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 enamel challenge out of the mouth from its decrease jaw. The enamel are used for preventing different males, proof for which is seen within the usually scarred look of the males’ pores and skin.
Like many beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whale is tough to review as a consequence of its deep-sea habitat and elusive nature.
Blue Whale
Scientific title: 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 huge dimension, the blue whale feeds virtually solely on tiny shrimp-like crustaceans referred to as krill.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Blue Whale Info
Bowhead Whale
Scientific title: 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, also called the Arctic whale, is known as for its huge 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 enormous 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’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Bowhead Whale Info
Bryde’s Whale
Scientific title: 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, one in all a gaggle of similar-looking, and closely-related species that features the frequent Bryde’s whale and Eden’s whale.
Bryde’s whale has an extended, slender physique, may be recognized by the three distinguished ridges on its straight snout.
The species is known as after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian consul to South Africa who helped set up the primary fashionable whaling station within the nation.
Widespread Minke Whale
Scientific title: 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 plentiful of the rorqual whales, a gaggle of whales characterised by the ridged pores and skin of their throats, which permits the amount of their mouths to tremendously develop.
The frequent minke whale has a smooth physique and a sharply pointed snout. Not like most different whales, it usually 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.
As we speak, the frequent minke whale is likely one of the whale species most commonly-targeted by whalers.
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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 sturdy physique, a small head relative to its physique dimension, and a brief beak. Solely the male’s enamel are seen within the mouth; the species is believed to seize meals utilizing suction. Like different beaked whales, the food regimen of Cuvier’s beaked whale consists primarily of squid.
Deraniyagala’s Beaked Whale
No Picture Accessible
Scientific title: Mesoplodon hotaula
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 likely one of the smallest inside the Ziphiidae household.
The species is understood solely from stranded people and little or no is subsequently identified about its habits and life-style.
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Scientific title: 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 enamel 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 assumed for use for echolocation and presumably for depth management.
Fin Whale
Scientific title: 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, also called the finback whale, is the second-largest animal after the blue whale. It has a smooth, streamlined physique and is understood for its pace, usually 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 best facet being paler than the left.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Fin Whales Info
Gervais’ Beaked Whale
Scientific title: Mesoplodon europaeus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: Atlantic Ocean, significantly 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 identified 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 identified.
Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
No Picture Accessible
Scientific title: Mesoplodon ginkgodens
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 not often seen beaked whale. It will get its title from the form of the male’s enamel, which resemble the leaves of a ginkgo tree.
Nearly all that’s identified about this species comes from stranded specimens, as it’s virtually by no means seen at sea.
Grey Whale
Scientific title: 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 identified 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 frequently hosts patches of whale lice and barnacles. Not like many different whales, grey whales lack a dorsal fin and as a substitute 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 regimen 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
No Picture Accessible
Scientific title: 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, also called the Haast’s beaked whale or scamperdown whale, is a species of beaked whale that predominantly inhabits the waters of the Southern Hemisphere, significantly 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 smooth, 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 likely one of the most regularly stranded beaked whales within the Southern Hemisphere, usually stranding in teams, one in all which contained 28 people.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Grey Whale Info
Hector’s Beaked Whale
No Picture Accessible
Scientific title: Mesoplodon hectori
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 identified species of beaked whale, named after Sir James Hector, the curator of the Colonial Museum in Wellington, New Zealand. It has a sturdy physique with a small, triangular dorsal fin.
Hubbs’ Beaked Whale
No Picture Accessible
Scientific title: Mesoplodon carlhubbsi
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 tough to review as a consequence of its habitat and elusive habits.
Humpback Whale
Scientific title: 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 title from the distinctive humped look of its again when it arches in preparation for a dive. This distinctive whale can 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 embrace 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 tune of the male. The precise function of the tune is unclear, however it’s believed to be a part of the species’ mating habits.
The humpback whale migrates as much as 25,000 kilometers every year, from polar waters the place it feeds, to tropical or subtropical waters the place it breeds and provides beginning.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Humpback Whale Info
Narwhal
Scientific title: 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 title: 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 likely one of the world’s most endangered giant whale species, with a inhabitants at present numbering underneath 500. It has a stocky physique, no dorsal fin, and distinctive callosities on its head. The species is a gradual swimmer, averaging 6 km/h (3.7 mph).
The North Atlantic proper whale is one in all 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 had been the “proper” species to hunt, being slow-swimming with giant quantities of blubber, though this clarification has been put unsure by some authorities.
Proper whales had been hunted virtually to extinction when the whaling business was at its peak.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: North Atlantic Proper Whale Info
North Pacific Proper Whale
Scientific title: 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 comparable 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 industrial whalers prior to now, and its inhabitants stays small immediately.
Northern Bottlenose Whale
Scientific title: 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, identified to succeed in 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 simple prey for hunters prior to now.
Omura’s Whale
Scientific title: Balaenoptera omurai
Household: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Information 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 known as after Japanese cetologist Hideo Omura.
Omura’s whale is characterised by its smooth, 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 best facet being lighter than the left facet. It additionally has asymmetrically-colored baleen plates, with the best baleen being white and the left being darkish, which is regarded as related to their feeding habits.
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 usually sighted alone or in small teams, and far of its habits and life-style, together with migration and breeding patterns, stays a thriller as a result of species’ elusive nature and its comparatively current scientific recognition.
Perrin’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific title: 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 identified about this species comes from strandings, as it’s virtually by no means seen within the wild. Like different beaked whales, it’s probably a deep diver.
Pygmy Beaked Whale
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Scientific title: 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 identified 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 title: 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 could be very not often seen at sea; most of what’s identified about it comes from strandings.
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Scientific title: 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 likely one of the smallest species of toothed whales. Till 1998, it was thought of 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 referred to as spermaceti in an organ in its head. That is thought to assist echolocation, which probably performs an necessary half in searching.
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 title: 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 large 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 establish 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 title: 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 wonderful, 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 regimen 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 title: Tasmacetus shepherdi
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 singular species among the many beaked whales as it’s the solely species identified to have practical enamel in each jaws. It’s also 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 title: 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 giant 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 likely one of the most frequently-sighted beaked whales within the Antarctic Circle.
Southern Proper Whale
Scientific title: 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 had been as soon as regarded as a single species.
Collectively, three proper whales make up the genus Eubalaena.
The southern proper whale tends to method boats carefully, usually interacting with them for prolonged intervals, which makes it a well-liked species for whale-watching.
Sowerby’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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, identified to dive to depths of over 1km. Not like most different beaked whales, it primarily hunts fish, quite than squid.
Spade-Toothed Whale
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Scientific title: Mesoplodon traversii
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Information 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 likely one of the world’s rarest cetaceans.
Till 2010, when a mom and calf had been stranded in New Zealand, the species was identified solely from a couple of bone samples.
The spade-toothed whale’s title derives from the form of its enamel, that are curved and spade-like, and visual solely in males. The male’s enamel are round 23 cm (9 in) in size.
Sperm Whale
Scientific title: 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 isn’t just the biggest of the toothed whales, it is usually 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 well acknowledged as a consequence of its block-shaped head. Produced by an organ inside a sperm whale’s head is a substance referred to 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 title was a sperm whale.
You’ll find out extra about this species on this web page: Sperm Whale Info
Stejneger’s Beaked Whale
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Scientific title: 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, also called the “saber-toothed whale”, is characterised by its elongated beak and the 2 distinguished enamel 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 regularly bears the scars brought on by bites from the cookiecutter shark.
Strap-Toothed Whale (Layard’s Beaked Whale)
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Scientific title: 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, also called Layard’s beaked whale, is exclusive amongst cetaceans for the male’s pair of lengthy, strap-like enamel that curl up and over the higher jaw. The species’ lengthy enamel may very well forestall its beak from absolutely opening, probably limiting the dimensions of prey it could eat.
Sometimes for members of its household, the strap-toothed whale inhabits deep waters and is a deep-diver; its food regimen consists of deep water squid, together with the vampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis.
Tropical Bottlenose Whale / Longman’s Beaked Whale
Scientific title: 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, also called 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 identified 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 title: Mesoplodon mirus
Household: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Concern
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean and elements 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 title.)
True’s beaked whale is an elusive species, almost all the time sighted in waters over 1,000 meters in depth. From stranded specimens, it’s identified that small fish function predominantly in its food regimen.
Uncover Extra With Lively Wild
Uncover extra about whales and associated sea animals on the next pages on Lively Wild:
Go to our major 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 & Info
You may see photos and info on EVERY species of dolphin on this web page: Varieties of Dolphins
Discover out the distinction between dolphins and porpoises: Dolphin Vs Porpoise
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