An inventory of the several types of whales that incorporates each residing whale species, from the smallest (the dwarf sperm whale), to the biggest (the blue whale).
Web page Contents
Interactive Desk Of Whale Species
What Is A Whale?
Whales are marine mammals belonging to the crowd Cetacea, which additionally comprises dolphins and porpoises. Whales are recognized for his or her huge measurement, with many whale species weighing a number of tonnes.
Even though descended from land animals, whales are absolutely tailored to aquatic lifestyles, 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 residing within the ocean, whales are air-breathing animals and due to this fact need to floor periodically so as to breathe by the use of a blowhole on most sensible in their heads.
Whales are clever animals, recognized for his or her complicated social constructions and conversation techniques, together with the unique sound of whale track.
Two Major Sorts Of Whales
There are two primary forms of whales: baleen whales of suborder Mysticeti, and toothed whales of suborder Odontoceti. Baleen whales are clear out feeders that devour huge quantities of small prey equivalent to krill and bait fish. Toothed whales generally hunt higher prey equivalent to fish, squid or even different marine mammals, the usage of echolocation.
The record of whale species underneath incorporates data on each known whale species. In compiling this record, we consulted each the Catalogue of Lifestyles and the Mammal Species of the Global databases. The conservation standing of every species comes from the IUCN Pink Listing, and is right kind on the time of publishing.
Observe that the record does now not come with dolphins (together with the killer whale), which, regardless of being toothed whales, are typically handled as a separate team. You’ll see an inventory of each dolphin species in this web page: Sorts Of Dolphins.
Whale Species Listing
Desk Of Whale Species
| Commonplace Identify | Clinical Identify | Suborder | Circle of relatives | Conservation Standing | Avg. Duration (m) | Avg. Duration (feet) | Avg. Weight (kg) | Avg. Weight (lb) | The place Discovered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon bowdoini | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge 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 Fear | 9.75 | 31.99 | 4500 | 9920.79 | Southern Ocean | |
| Baird’s Beaked Whale | Berardius bairdii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 12.00 | 39.37 | 12000 | 26455.44 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Beluga Whale | Delphinapterus leucas | Odontoceti | Monodontidae | Least Fear | 4.00 | 13.12 | 1500 | 3306.93 | Arctic areas | |
| Blainville’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon densirostris | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 4.70 | 15.42 | 1000 | 2204.62 | International tropical and temperate oceans | |
| Blue Whale | Balaenoptera musculus | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Endangered | 24.00 | 78.74 | 120000 | 264554.40 | International oceans | |
| Bowhead Whale | Balaena mysticetus | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Least Fear | 18.00 | 59.06 | 100000 | 220462.00 | Arctic areas | |
| Bryde’s Whale | Balaenoptera edeni | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Fear | 15.00 | 49.21 | 20000 | 44092.40 | Heat oceans international | |
| Commonplace Minke Whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Fear | 8.50 | 27.89 | 7500 | 16534.65 | International oceans | |
| Cuvier’s Beaked Whale | Ziphius cavirostris | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 7.00 | 22.97 | 3000 | 6613.86 | International oceans | |
| Deraniyagala’s beaked whale | Mesoplodon hotaula | Odontoceti | Hyperoodontidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.50 | 14.76 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean | |
| Dwarf Sperm Whale | Kogia sima | Odontoceti | Kogiidae | Least Fear | 2.70 | 8.86 | 250 | 551.16 | Heat oceans international | |
| Fin Whale | Balaenoptera physalus | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Susceptible | 22.00 | 72.18 | 70000 | 154323.40 | International oceans | |
| Gervais’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon europaeus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 5.50 | 18.04 | 1300 | 2866.01 | Atlantic Ocean | |
| Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon ginkgodens | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.90 | 16.08 | 1100 | 2425.08 | Tropical and heat temperate oceans | |
| Grey Whale | Eschrichtius robustus | Mysticeti | Eschrichtiidae | Least Fear | 14.90 | 48.88 | 36000 | 79366.32 | North Pacific and North Atlantic | |
| Grey’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon grayi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 5.70 | 18.70 | 1200 | 2645.54 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Hector’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon hectori | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 4.20 | 13.78 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Hubbs’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon carlhubbsi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 5.00 | 16.40 | 1200 | 2645.54 | North Pacific Ocean | |
| Humpback Whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | Mysticeti | Balaenopteridae | Least Fear | 16.00 | 52.49 | 30000 | 66138.60 | International oceans | |
| Longman’s Beaked Whale | Indopacetus pacificus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 6.50 | 21.33 | 2700 | 5952.47 | Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans | |
| Narwhal | Monodon monoceros | Odontoceti | Monodontidae | Least Fear | 4.70 | 15.42 | 1600 | 3527.39 | Arctic areas | |
| North Atlantic Proper Whale | Eubalaena glacialis | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Seriously 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 | Knowledge 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 Fear | 3.90 | 12.80 | 1000 | 2204.62 | Tropical jap Pacific Ocean | |
| Pygmy Proper Whale | Caperea marginata | Mysticeti | Neobalaenidae | Least Fear | 6.50 | 21.33 | 3500 | 7716.17 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Pygmy Sperm Whale | Kogia breviceps | Odontoceti | Kogiidae | Least Fear | 3.50 | 11.48 | 400 | 881.85 | International 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 | International | |
| Shepherd’s Beaked Whale | Tasmacetus shepherdi | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge Poor | 6.50 | 21.33 | 3000 | 6613.86 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Southern Bottlenose Whale | Hyperoodon planifrons | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 7.50 | 24.61 | 5800 | 12786.80 | Southern Ocean | |
| Southern Proper Whale | Eubalaena australis | Mysticeti | Balaenidae | Least Fear | 15.00 | 49.21 | 60000 | 132277.20 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Sowerby’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon bidens | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 5.50 | 18.04 | 1000 | 2204.62 | North Atlantic Ocean | |
| Spade-toothed Whale | Mesoplodon traversii | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Knowledge 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 | International 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 Fear | 6.20 | 20.34 | 1300 | 2866.01 | Southern Hemisphere oceans | |
| Tropical Bottlenose Whale | Indopacetus pacificus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 6.50 | 21.33 | 2700 | 5952.00 | Indian Ocean | |
| True’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon mirus | Odontoceti | Ziphiidae | Least Fear | 5.30 | 17.39 | 1400 | 3086.47 | North Atlantic Ocean and Southern Hemisphere |
Listing Of All Whales
Andrews’ Beaked Whale
No Picture To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon bowdoini
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere (in particular the cool temperate waters of the South Pacific)
Duration: 4.5-5.5m / 14.7-18ft
Weight: 1,100-1,300kg / 2,425-2,866lb
Probably the most least-known cetaceans, Andrews’ beaked whale hasn’t ever been viewed alive within the wild. All that we all know of the species comes from specimens washed up at the shores of Australia, New Zealand and close by islands.
This elusive whale species has a powerful, spindle-shaped frame with a small dorsal fin. Men are in most cases darkish gray with a white ‘cap’ on their head, whilst women and younger are considered lighter in colour.
Like different individuals of the beaked whale circle of relatives, Ziphiidae, Andrews’ beaked whale has a slender, dolphin-like snout, or “beak”. It has just a unmarried pair of tooth – the ones of the male take the type of tusks that stretch out of the perimeters of the mouth. Scarring provide at the our bodies of men point out that the tooth are used as guns.
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Antarctic Minke Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters
Duration: 7.5-10.7m / 24.6-35ft
Weight: 5-10 heaps (5000-10000 kg) / 11023-22046lb
The Antarctic minke whale, often referred to as the southern minke whale, has a slim frame and is the third-smallest baleen whale (the second-smallest is the connected not unusual minke whale; the smallest is the pygmy proper whale).
Because of its small measurement, low oil yield, and desire for pack ice spaces, which can be inaccessible to whaling ships, the Antarctic minke whale escaped the eye of whalers when the business was once at its height. Because of its relative abundance, then again, the species is nowadays probably the most commonly-hunted whales.
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Arnoux’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Berardius arnuxii
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Southern Ocean
Duration: 9-12m / 29.5-39.4ft
Weight: 9,000-14,000 kg / 19,842-30,865lb
Arnoux’s beaked whale is a huge member of the beaked whale circle of relatives and is understood for its desire for deep, chilly waters within the Southern Hemisphere.
The species is often referred to as the southern four-toothed whale; like different individuals of the genus Berardius it has simply 4 tooth. The whale’s entrance tooth are visual even if its mouth is closed.
Arnoux’s beaked whale has a cylindrical frame with a small, backward-pointing dorsal fin, and may be very identical in look to the closely-related Baird’s beaked whale.
The species isn’t well-studied, in part because of its far flung Southern Ocean habitat and in addition as it has now not been focused by way of the whaling business.
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Baird’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Berardius bairdii
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 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 circle of relatives, and the second-largest toothed whale after the sperm whale.
The species is characterised by way of its lengthy beak and slim frame. Just like the connected, and similar-looking, Arnoux’s beaked whale, it belongs to the genus Berardius.
Whales on this team are recognized each as four-toothed whales (on behalf in their 4 tooth), and massive beaked whales (on behalf in their huge measurement in the case of different beaked whales of circle of relatives Ziphiidae).
Baird’s beaked whale is social and typically present in pods of five to twenty folks. Like different beaked whales this is a deep diver, recognized to undertaking to depths of over one kilometer because it forages for squid, fish and crustaceans. Its dives can last as long as an hour.
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Beluga Whale
Clinical identify: Delphinapterus leucas
Circle of relatives: Monodontidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Arctic and Subarctic areas
Duration: 4-5.5m / 13-18ft
Weight: 1100-1600kg / 2425-3527lb
The Beluga Whale, often referred to as the white whale, is among the maximum unique forms of whales because of its brilliant white colour and the unique “melon” on its head, which is used for echolocation.
Probably the most smallest whale species, the beluga whale is often referred to as the ocean canary because of its high-pitched twitter.
Belugas are extraordinarily social creatures, ceaselessly viewed touring in pods of 10 or extra. It belongs to the circle of relatives Monodontidae, which incorporates only one different species, the narwhal.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Beluga Whale Info
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Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon densirostris
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Heat temperate and tropical seas international
Duration: 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 circle of relatives, Ziphiidae.
Like every 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 a number of the densest and stiffest of all animal bones.
The male’s tusk-like tooth venture out of the mouth from its decrease jaw. The tooth are used for preventing different men, proof for which is viewed within the ceaselessly scarred look of the men’ pores and skin.
Like many beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whale is tricky to review because of its deep-sea habitat and elusive nature.
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Blue Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera musculus
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: All oceans aside from the Arctic
Duration: 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 scale of even the biggest dinosaurs. Its tongue on my own can weigh up to an elephant, and its center up to an automotive.
Regardless of its monumental measurement, the blue whale feeds nearly solely on tiny shrimp-like crustaceans referred to as krill.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Blue Whale Info
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Bowhead Whale
Clinical identify: Balaena mysticetus
Circle of relatives: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Arctic and subarctic waters
Duration: 14-18m / 45.9-59.1ft
Weight: 75,000-100,000kg / 165,346-220,462lb
The bowhead whale, often referred to as the Arctic whale, is called for its large curved, or “bowed”, mouth, which is round one 1/3 of the duration of its frame. It’s the biggest mouth of any animal.
Discovered within the Arctic, the bowhead whale makes use of its massive cranium to wreck throughout the Arctic ice to make respiratory holes. Probably the most longest-living mammals, the bowhead whale can reside for over 200 years.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Bowhead Whale Info
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Bryde’s Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera edeni
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Heat temperate and tropical seas international
Duration: 12-15m / 39.4-49.2ft
Weight: 12,000-25,000kg / 26,455-55,115lb
Bryde’s whale is a baleen whale, one in every of a gaggle of similar-looking, and closely-related species that incorporates the not unusual Bryde’s whale and Eden’s whale.
Bryde’s whale has an extended, slim frame, may also be recognized by way of the 3 outstanding ridges on its directly snout.
The species is called after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian consul to South Africa who helped determine the primary trendy whaling station within the nation.
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Commonplace Minke Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Principally within the North Atlantic and North Pacific
Duration: 7-10m / 23-32.8ft
Weight: 5,000-10,000kg / 11,023-22,046lb
The average minke whale is the smallest and maximum plentiful of the rorqual whales, a gaggle of whales characterised by way of the ridged pores and skin in their throats, which permits the amount in their mouths to a great deal extend.
The average minke whale has a swish frame and a sharply pointed snout. In contrast to maximum different whales, it ceaselessly approaches ships, making it extra visual than many different species.
Like every baleen whales, the average minke is a clear out feeder, keeping apart meals from seawater with its comb-like baleen plates. It feeds on fish, krill and squid, and itself is hunted by way of the killer whale.
Nowadays, the average minke whale is among the whale species maximum commonly-targeted by way of whalers.
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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Ziphius cavirostris
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Allotted international in deep offshore waters
Duration: 5-7m / 16.4-23ft
Weight: 2000-3000kg / 4409-6614lb
The record-breaking Cuvier’s beaked whale has each the inner most 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 intervals of as much as 3 hours 42 mins.
Cuvier’s beaked whale has a powerful frame, a small head relative to its frame measurement, and a brief beak. Best the male’s tooth are visual within the mouth; the species is assumed to seize meals the usage of suction. Like different beaked whales, the vitamin of Cuvier’s beaked whale is composed basically of squid.
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Deraniyagala’s Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon hotaula
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Heat tropical waters of the western Indian Ocean and central Pacific
Duration: 4–5 m / 13–16 feet
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 circle of relatives Ziphiidae. It’s local to the nice and cozy tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. With adults attaining lengths of round 5 meters, the species is among the smallest inside the Ziphiidae circle of relatives.
The species is understood best from stranded folks and little or no is due to this fact recognized about its habits and way of life.
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Dwarf Sperm Whale
Clinical identify: Kogia sima
Circle of relatives: Kogiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: International in tropical and temperate seas
Duration: 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 tooth best 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 higher 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 in all probability for intensity keep an eye on.
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Fin Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera physalus
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Susceptible
The place discovered: International distribution in all oceans
Duration: 18-20m / 59-66ft
Weight: 40,000-80,000kg / 88,185-176,370lb
The fin whale, often referred to as the finback whale, is the second-largest animal after the blue whale. It has a swish, streamlined frame and is understood for its pace, ceaselessly being known as the “greyhound of the ocean.” Regardless of its measurement, it feeds basically on small training fish and crustaceans equivalent to krill.
An abnormal function of the fin whale is the asymmetrical shade of the decrease jaw, with the appropriate facet being paler than the left.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Fin Whales Info
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Gervais’ Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon europaeus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Atlantic Ocean, specifically across the West Indies and the Canary Islands
Duration: 4.5-5.2m / 14.7-17ft
Weight: 1000-1200kg / 2205-2646lb
Gervais’ beaked whale is a poorly recognized species of beaked whale. It has a slim, spindle-shaped frame and a small dorsal fin. The species is ceaselessly discovered stranded at the coasts of North The united states. Only a few sightings of residing people are recognized.
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Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon ginkgodens
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Tropical and heat temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans
Duration: 4.9-5.1m / 16-16.7ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The ginkgo-toothed beaked whale is a hardly ever viewed beaked whale. It will get its identify from the form of the male’s tooth, which resemble the leaves of a ginkgo tree.
Nearly all this is recognized about this species comes from stranded specimens, as it’s nearly by no means viewed at sea.
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Grey Whale
Clinical identify: Eschrichtius robustus
Circle of relatives: Eschrichtiidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Basically within the North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 12-15m / 39.4-49.2ft
Weight: 27,000-36,000kg / 59,524-79,366lb
The grey whale is a huge baleen whale species recognized for its long-distance migrations, touring between feeding and breeding grounds once a year.
The species inhabits the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, with two number one populations known: the Jap North Pacific inhabitants and the severely endangered Western North Pacific inhabitants.
Grey whales are simply identifiable by way of their mottled grey pores and skin, which ceaselessly hosts patches of whale lice and barnacles. In contrast to many different whales, grey whales lack a dorsal fin and as a substitute have a sequence of small humps alongside their again in opposition to the tail flukes.
The grey whale is a backside feeder with a vitamin consisting basically of small crustaceans equivalent to amphipods. The whale filters those from the dust of the ocean mattress with its baleen plates.
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Grey’s Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon grayi
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere, basically in cooler waters
Duration: 5.5-5.7m / 18-18.7ft
Weight: 1100-1300kg / 2425-2866lb
Grey’s beaked whale, often referred to as the Haast’s beaked whale or scamperdown whale, is a species of beaked whale that predominantly inhabits the waters of the Southern Hemisphere, specifically round New Zealand and South Africa. It’s probably the most higher individuals of the genus Mesoplodon, with adults attaining lengths of as much as 5.7 meters.
The bodily look of Grey’s Beaked Whale resembles that of alternative individuals of its circle of relatives. It has a swish, torpedo-shaped frame and a particular lengthy, slim beak, which is especially pronounced on this species.
Like different beaked whales, Grey’s Beaked Whales are deep divers, able to attaining nice depths to forage for squid and fish. It is among the maximum continually stranded beaked whales within the Southern Hemisphere, ceaselessly stranding in teams, one in every of which contained 28 folks.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Grey Whale Info
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Hector’s Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon hectori
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere, basically in cooler waters
Duration: 4.2m / 13.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Hector’s beaked whale is a poorly recognized species of beaked whale, named after Sir James Hector, the curator of the Colonial Museum in Wellington, New Zealand. It has a powerful frame with a small, triangular dorsal fin.
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Hubbs’ Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon carlhubbsi
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 4.9-5.2m / 16-17ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Hubbs’ beaked whale is a rarely-seen species of beaked whale. It’s known by way of its unique beak and white coloring at the entrance a part of its frame. Like different beaked whales, it’s deep-diving and tough to review because of its habitat and elusive habits.
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Humpback Whale
Clinical identify: Megaptera novaeangliae
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Oceans and seas international
Duration: 12-16m / 39.4-52.5ft
Weight: 25,000-30,000kg / 55,115-66,138lb
The humpback whale will get its identify from the unique humped look of its again when it arches in preparation for a dive. This unique whale may also be known by way of its lengthy, wing-like flippers and widespread breaching and different floor task.
This iconic species is ceaselessly the point of interest of whale-watching excursions. Top-of-the-line puts to look humpback whales come with 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 track of the male. The precise goal of the track 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 yr, from polar waters the place it feeds, to tropical or subtropical waters the place it breeds and offers beginning.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Humpback Whale Info
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Narwhal
Clinical identify: Monodon monoceros
Circle of relatives: Monodontidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Arctic waters round Greenland, Canada, and Russia
Duration: 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 in fact an elongated teeth, can develop as much as 3 meters in duration. Narwhals spend their lives in Arctic waters, the place they hunt for fish, squid, and shrimp.
The narwhal belongs to the circle of relatives Monodontidae, the one different member of which is the beluga whale.
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North Atlantic Proper Whale
Clinical identify: Eubalaena glacialis
Circle of relatives: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Seriously Endangered
The place discovered: Western North Atlantic, from Florida to the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Duration: 11-18m / 36-59ft
Weight: 40,000-70,000kg / 88,185-154,324lb
The North Atlantic proper whale is among the international’s maximum endangered huge whale species, with a inhabitants lately numbering below 500. It has a stocky frame, no dorsal fin, and unique callosities on its head. The species is a sluggish swimmer, averaging 6 km/h (3.7 mph).
The North Atlantic proper whale is one in every of 3 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 have been the “proper” species to seek, being slow-swimming with huge quantities of blubber, even though this rationalization has been put unsure by way of some government.
Proper whales have been hunted nearly to extinction when the whaling business was once at its height.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: North Atlantic Proper Whale Info
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North Pacific Proper Whale
Clinical identify: Eubalaena japonica
Circle of relatives: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 15-18m / 49-59ft
Weight: 50,000-80,000kg / 110,231-176,370lb
The North Pacific proper whale is a baleen whale identical in look to its Atlantic cousin. It has a vast, flat again without a dorsal fin and massive, triangular flippers. This species was once closely focused by way of industrial whalers previously, and its inhabitants stays small nowadays.
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Northern Bottlenose Whale
Clinical identify: Hyperoodon ampullatus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean
Duration: 6-9.8m / 20-32ft
Weight: 5,800-7,500kg / 12,786-16,535lb
The northern bottlenose whale is understood for its unique bulbous brow, or melon, and lengthy, tube-like beak. It probably the most deepest-diving whales, recognized to achieve depths of as much as 2,339 m / 7,674 feet. in dives that may final for over two hours. The species is understood for its interest in opposition to boats, which sadly made it simple prey for hunters previously.
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Omura’s Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera omurai
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean
Duration: 10-11.5 m / 33-38ft.
Weight: 4,536-9,072 kg / 10,000-20,000 lb
Omura’s whale is a slightly small baleen whale species that was once officially known by way of scientists in 2003. The species is called after Jap cetologist Hideo Omura.
Omura’s whale is characterised by way of its graceful, slim frame with a definite ridge working down its again to the dorsal fin. The left and proper facets of the species’ decrease jaw are asymmetrically-colored, with the appropriate facet being lighter than the left facet. It additionally has asymmetrically-colored baleen plates, with the appropriate baleen being white and the left being darkish, which is considered related to their feeding habits.
Omura’s whale is basically present in tropical and subtropical waters across the coastlines of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It’s ceaselessly sighted on my own or in small teams, and far of its habits and way of life, together with migration and breeding patterns, stays a thriller because of the species’ elusive nature and its slightly contemporary clinical reputation.
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Perrin’s Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon perrini
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: Jap North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 4-4.5m / 13-14.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
Perrin’s beaked whale is a rarely-seen beaked whale species. It was once best known as a separate species in 2002. Nearly all this is recognized about this species comes from strandings, as it’s nearly by no means viewed within the wild. Like different beaked whales, it’s most probably a deep diver.
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Pygmy Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon peruvianus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Jap tropical Pacific Ocean
Duration: 3.9-4.2m / 12.8-13.8ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The pygmy beaked whale is the smallest species of beaked whale. It’s recognized from a small collection of strandings and at-sea sightings. Like different beaked whales, it’s deep-diving and elusive, which makes it difficult to review.
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Pygmy Proper Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Caperea marginata
Circle of relatives: Neobalaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Duration: 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 way of a small, slender rostrum (snout) and a falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin. The species may be very hardly ever viewed at sea; maximum of what’s recognized about it comes from strandings.
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Pygmy Sperm Whale
Clinical identify: Kogia breviceps
Circle of relatives: Kogiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: International in tropical and temperate seas
Duration: 3.5m / 11.5ft
Weight: 400kg / 882lb
Smaller than a bottlenose dolphin, the pygmy sperm whale is among the smallest species of toothed whales. Till 1998, it was once regarded as the similar species because the dwarf sperm whale; each species belong to the circle of relatives 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 concept to assist echolocation, which most probably performs a very powerful phase in searching.
Like the ones of alternative sperm whales, the blowhole of the pygmy sperm is situated at the left facet of its head.
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Sato’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Berardius minimus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 6.9 m / 22.64 feet
Weight: Unknown
Little is understood about Sato’s Beaked Whale, which is the smallest member of the enormous beaked whale / four-toothed whale genus Berardius. This species was once best officially known and named in 2019 following detailed genetic and morphological research.
The species was once named after Hal Sato, a researcher who helped establish the species.
Like different beaked whales, Sato’s beaked whale has a particular beak, streamlined frame, and a dorsal fin set slightly a long way again at the frame.
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Sei Whale
Clinical identify: Balaenoptera borealis
Circle of relatives: Balaenopteridae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Endangered
The place discovered: International in deep, offshore waters
Duration: 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 frame this is darkish gray or blue-grey in colour with paler markings on its underside.
Different distinguishing options of the sei whale are: a unmarried ridge extending from the blowhole to the top of the snout; tall, falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin situated about two-thirds down the again; and baleen plates which might be darkish and slightly advantageous, designed to clear out small prey from the water.
The sei whale inhabits maximum oceans and adjacent seas, who prefer deep offshore waters. It avoids polar and tropical waters and semi-enclosed our bodies of water. Its vitamin is composed basically of krill and different small training fish, which it consumes each by way of skimming the water’s floor and by way of lunge feeding.
Like different baleen whales, the sei whale is understood to adopt lengthy migrations from cool and temperate feeding spaces in the summertime to hotter breeding spaces within the iciness.
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Shepherd’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Tasmacetus shepherdi
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Duration: 6-7m / 19.7-23ft
Weight: 3,000-4,000kg / 6,614-8,818lb
Shepherd’s beaked whale is a novel species a number of the beaked whales as it’s the best species recognized to have practical tooth in each jaws. It is usually probably the most few beaked whales that eats fish in addition to cephalopods. Sightings of this uncommon whale species are few and a long way between; maximum of what we find out about it comes from strandings.
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Southern Bottlenose Whale
Clinical identify: Hyperoodon planifrons
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Duration: 7.5-8.2m / 24.6-26.9ft
Weight: 5,800-7,500kg / 12,786-16,535lb
The southern bottlenose whale is known by way of its huge brow and elongated beak. It’s smaller than its cousin, the northern beaked whale.
Probably the most better-studied species of beaked whales, the southern bottlenose whale is ceaselessly viewed in teams, and is understood for its deep dives to seek squid and krill. It is among the maximum frequently-sighted beaked whales within the Antarctic Circle.
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Southern Proper Whale
Clinical identify: Eubalaena australis
Circle of relatives: Balaenidae
Suborder: Mysticeti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Southern Hemisphere
Duration: 14-18m / 45.9-59.1ft
Weight: 60,000-80,000kg / 132,277-176,370lb
The southern proper whale is a huge baleen whale with vast, paddle-like flippers and a large again that lacks a dorsal fin. Discovered within the chilly waters of the Southern Hemisphere, it heavily resembles its cousins the North Atlantic proper whale and the North Pacific proper whale; the 3 closely-related species have been as soon as considered a unmarried species.
In combination, 3 proper whales make up the genus Eubalaena.
The southern proper whale tends to manner boats heavily, ceaselessly interacting with them for prolonged sessions, which makes it a well-liked species for whale-watching.
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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon bidens
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean
Duration: 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 frame, and a notched tail fluke.
Sowerby’s beaked whale is a deep diver, recognized to dive to depths of over 1km. In contrast to maximum different beaked whales, it basically hunts fish, somewhat than squid.
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Spade-Toothed Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon traversii
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Knowledge Poor
The place discovered: South Pacific Ocean
Duration: 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 among the international’s rarest cetaceans.
Till 2010, when a mom and calf have been stranded in New Zealand, the species was once recognized best from a couple of bone samples.
The spade-toothed whale’s identify derives from the form of its tooth, which can be curved and spade-like, and visual best in men. The male’s tooth are round 23 cm (9 in) in duration.
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Sperm Whale
Clinical identify: Physeter macrocephalus
Circle of relatives: Physeteridae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Susceptible
The place discovered: International
Duration: 11-20.5m / 36-67.3ft
Weight: 25,000-45,000kg / 55,116-99,208lb
The sperm whale is not only the biggest of the toothed whales, it’s also the arena’s biggest toothed predator. The species is known for its deep dives, staying submerged for approximately an hour and attaining depths of as much as 2,000 meters / 1.24 Miles.
The sperm whale is definitely known because of its block-shaped head. Produced by way of an organ inside of a sperm whale’s head is a substance referred to as spermaceti, which was once as soon as utilized in oil lamps and lubricants. The species was once as soon as focused by way of whalers for its spermaceti and blubber.
The fictitious “white whale” Moby Dick that featured in Herman Melville’s novel of the similar identify was once a sperm whale.
You’ll in finding out extra about this species in this web page: Sperm Whale Info
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Stejneger’s Beaked Whale
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon stejnegeri
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The place discovered: North Pacific Ocean
Duration: 5.3-5.5m / 17.4-18ft
Weight: 1,300-1,400kg / 2,866-3,086lb
Stejneger’s beaked whale, often referred to as the “saber-toothed whale”, is characterised by way of its elongated beak and the 2 outstanding tooth of the male that protrude upward and backward from the decrease jaw.
Stejneger’s beaked whale is understood to be a deep diver, like maximum beaked whales. Additionally like different individuals of its circle of relatives, Stejneger’s beaked whale continually bears the scars brought about by way of bites from the cookiecutter shark.
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Strap-Toothed Whale (Layard’s Beaked Whale)
No Symbol To be had
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon layardii
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Circumpolar in cool temperate Southern Hemisphere waters
Duration: 5.9-6.2m / 19.4-20.3ft
Weight: 1,000-1,300kg / 2,204-2,866lb
The strap-toothed whale, often referred to as Layard’s beaked whale, is exclusive amongst cetaceans for the male’s pair of lengthy, strap-like tooth that curl up and over the higher jaw. The species’ lengthy tooth might in fact save you its beak from absolutely opening, doubtlessly restricting the scale of prey it might devour.
Normally for individuals of its circle of relatives, the strap-toothed whale inhabits deep waters and is a deep-diver; its vitamin comprises deep water squid, together with the vampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis.
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Tropical Bottlenose Whale / Longman’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Indopacetus pacificus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: Tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Duration: 7.6m / 25ft
Weight: Unknown / Unknown
The tropical bottlenose whale, often referred to as 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 Nineteen Nineties, the species was once recognized best from two skulls. It’s concept to inhabit deep offshore waters and to be a deep diver.
The tropical bottlenose whale is extremely elusive, with maximum details about it coming from stranded specimens, making any sighting of this distinctive creature a momentous match.
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True’s Beaked Whale
Clinical identify: Mesoplodon mirus
Circle of relatives: Ziphiidae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Conservation standing: Least Fear
The place discovered: North Atlantic Ocean and portions of the Southern Hemisphere
Duration: 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 is called after Frederick W. True (Wikipedia), a former curator at the US Nationwide Museum. (True’s vole and True’s shrew mole additionally undergo his identify.)
True’s beaked whale is an elusive species, just about all the time sighted in waters over 1,000 meters extensive. From stranded specimens, it’s recognized that small fish characteristic predominantly in its vitamin.
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Uncover Extra With Energetic Wild
Uncover extra about whales and connected sea animals at the following pages on Energetic Wild:
Discuss with our primary animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
You’ll see extra ocean animals in this web page: Ocean Animals Listing with Photos & Info
You’ll see footage and details on EVERY species of dolphin in this web page: Sorts of Dolphins
To find out the variation between dolphins and porpoises: Dolphin Vs Porpoise