Beaked Whales of Galapagos

Category: Beaked Whales
Family: Ziphidae

These medium-sized whales live in deep water and are rarely seen at sea, making them one of the least studied mammal groups on earth. As the name suggests, they all possess a distinctive protruding beak. Their bodies are generally slim and streamlined, often with visible scarring. They have no notch in the tail and a smallish dorsal fin, positioned two thirds of the way along the back and variable in shape. All members of the family are similar in shape and variable in color, making identification at sea extremely difficult. The position of protruding teeth which only erupt in adult males is often the only reliable feature. If possible, any species encountered should be photographed in order to learn more of the identity and distribution of these mysterious whales.

BLAINVILLE'S BEAKED WHALE

Occasionally seen offshore

Identification: Very similar in shape and size to other beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon. Identification requires close views of the beak which appears first as me animal surfaces. The forehead is low and flat leading to a shortish beak, behind which both sides of me lower jaw are distinctly arched towards the base. Unlike Gingko-toothed Beaked Whale the arch is rounded. Mature males display a large single tooth, irrupting from me centre of each arch.

CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE

Adult Length: 5-7 m (16 - 23 ft)
Coloration: Grey-brown to brick-red
Blow: Bushy, slightly angled forward, sometimes visible
Breaching: Leaps almost vertically
Group size: 1-8

Occasionally seen offshore

Identification: Larger and more robust than the beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon. The body is somewhat sausage-shaped as it rolls slowly at the surface, revealing a small, triangular or falcate dorsal fin situated forward, sometimes visible two-thirds of the way along the back. The head shape is distinctive, the forehead sloping gently down to a short beak, described by some as being like that of a goose. In mature males, two small teeth protrude from the tip of the lower jaw. The head and upper back of adults often becomes pale cream in color.