Mammals of the WorldArnoux's Beaked Whale
Berardius arnuxii
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Ziphiidae
- Genus
- Berardius
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Antarctica|Argentina|Australia|Brazil|Chile|Falkland Islands|French Southern and Antarctic Lands|New Zealand|South Africa|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|Uruguay
- Realm
- Marine
Other names: New Zealand Beaked Whale|Southern Four-toothed Whale
About this species
- Size
- Length 9–12 m
- Habitat
- Deep cold oceanic waters
- Range
- Surrounding seas
Berardius arnuxii is a very large beaked whale of southern cold waters. It differs from the smaller southern bottlenose whale through its longer beak and paired teeth visible at the lower-jaw tip. It has a long cylindrical body, small flippers and a modest dorsal fin set far back. Adults are often scarred, and the forehead slopes into a distinct beak.
It occurs around Antarctica and in deep waters near New Zealand’s subantarctic islands. Confirmed sightings at sea are scarce. It makes deep dives, probably taking squid and deep-water fish. Groups can be close-knit and may surface together.
The New Zealand classification is Data Deficient. Subantarctic expedition voyages provide a remote possibility, but there is no reliable viewing site.
Description: Wildlife of New Zealand guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)