Lesser Beaked Whale
The Lesser Beaked Whale is a little-known, and little-seen, species, known only from thirteen specimens. It is known only in Peruvian waters. Its existence was first noted in 1976 - from an unidentified skull found at a Peruvian fish market; nine years later a full skeleton was discovered in the same way. In 1988 a stranded adult male was found on a beach; and in 1991 the species was properly named.
Classification: This species was named in 1991, after the country in which the first specimens were found.
Local Names: Peruvian Beaked Whale; Pygmy Beaked Whale.
Description: The smallest of all Mesoplodon species, the Lesser Beaked Whale has a small, triangular dorsal fin and a short, narrow beak. The head is also narrow and the melon not as bulbous as in other species. There are two teeth on the lower jaw. This cetacean in dark grey in colour, which fades to light grey on the undersides. It appears to measure between 3.4-3.7m in length.
Recognition at sea: This species is very difficult to distinguish at sea due to the little amount of information that is available. The blow is inconspicuous.
Habitat: The Lesser Beaked Whale has so far only been found in the waters off the coast of Peru.
Food & Feeding:It is thought that this species preys mainly on deepsea fish and squid.
Behaviour: The Lesser Beaked Whale has been seen in groups of two-three individuals (the third is usually a calf), although all strandings have involved lone animals.
Longevity: Unknown.
Estimated Current Population: Unknown.
The Influence of Man: Unknown.
Source: CETACEA
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