Shepherd's Beaked Whale
Shepherd's Beaked Whale is a little-known, and little-seen, species. More than half the sightings and strandings have originated from New Zealand, with the remainder coming from Australia, Argentina, and Chile.
Classification: This species' scientific name refers to the Tasman Sea, where the first specimen was found, and its collector, Mr G Shepherd, from New Zealand.
Local Names: Tasman Whale; Tasman Beaked Whale.
Description: Shepherd's Beaked Whale, though similar in shape, has a more pointed beak than other beaked whales. It has a steep melon, and small flippers and dorsal fin. The body colour is dark above and light underneath, with two dark diagonal bands sweeping from the dorsal onto the lighter flanks and belly. The maximum recorded length for a male is 7m, and for a female is 6.6m.
Recognition at sea: Unknown.
Habitat: It is presumed that this species lives away from coasts and is a deepsea diver.
Food & Feeding: A stomach analysis of a stranded Shepherd's Beaked Whale showed that this species mainly feeds on deepsea fish.
Behaviour: Unknown.
Longevity: Unknown.
Estimated Current Population: Unknown.
The Influence of Man: Unknown.
Source: CETACEA
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