Hubbs's Beaked Whale

About this species

Size

About 5m

Diet

Squid and deep-water fish

Habitat

Temperate North Pacific waters

Hubbs's beaked whale is a little-known North Pacific species about 5m long. It has a spindle-shaped body, small flippers and a short beak. Adult males are mostly dark with a white forehead and beak and carry a pair of large teeth near the middle of the lower jaw; both sexes may bear pale oval scars from cookie-cutter sharks (Wikipedia, general species account).

Across its known range, the species occurs in deep temperate waters of the North Pacific. Direct observations are scarce, and much of its distribution has been reconstructed from stranded animals. Its diet includes squid and deep-water fish, taken during long dives by suction feeding. Available sightings suggest that individuals travel alone or in small groups, but social and reproductive behaviour remain poorly documented (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of Japan guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)