Cuvier's Beaked Whale
Cuvier's Beaked Whale is one of the most widespread in its family, occuring in all save the polar seas. No migrations are known, and populations are residential around Japan, Hawaii and New Zealand.
Classification: This species' genus name originates from xiphos, which is Greek for 'sword'. Caviorstris comes from the Latin cavus ('hollow') and rostrum ('beak'), thus referring to the basin found on the skull just before the blowhole.
Local Names: Cuvier's Whale; Goosebeak Whale; Goose-Beaked Whale; Akabo-Kujira or Kajippo (Japan).
Description: Cuvier's Beaked Whale is similar in stature and shape to other beaked whales, with small flippers and dorsal fin, and a stocky but compressed body. The beak is not set apart from the melon, and the mouthline is curved at the back, showing a hint of a 'grin'. Young are generally brown to grey, with a paler head and belly. With age, the head becomes mostly white, which is especially noticeable in males. The body colour of adults is varied: at the surface it can have a reddish cast, but could also be either tan, light brown, acorn brown, or 'gun-metal' blue. Scars give each individual a different appearance. There are two teeth at the front of the lower jaw, and these erupt through the gum in males to become exposed when the mouth is closed. The maximum length documented so far has been 7m for males and 7.5m for females, while a female of 6.5m weighed in at just below 3 tonnes.
Recognition at sea: Cuvier's Beaked Whale can be confused with the other species of beaked whales. However, experienced watchers may be able to distinguish it by looking for the sloping forehead, short beak, exposed tusks in adult males and the pale or white head. The blow is low and inconspicuous.
Habitat: This is a deepwater species that is rarely seen in coastal waters.
Food & Feeding: The diet of this species is not properly known, but stomach contents suggest that mainly squid and deepsea fish are taken.
Behaviour: These whales are usually found in units of between two to seven individuals, or - as with adult males - alone. When at the surface, the chin seems to be thrust forward above the water, and occasional breaches have been witnessed. Strandings are normally of single animals only.
Longevity: Approximately 60 years.
Estimated Current Population: Unknown.
The Influence of Man: Cuvier's Beaked Whale have only been directly caught by Japan, with 13-60 animals being taken every year between 1965-1970. Occasionally caught in other cetacean hunts, such as by those of the Lesser Antilles, this species was also used as targets by French and Spanish military vessels in the Mediterranean.
Source: CETACEA
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