Stejneger's Beaked Whale

About this species

Size

About 5–5.5m

Diet

Deep-water squid and fish

Habitat

Cold-temperate North Pacific waters

Stejneger's beaked whale is a medium-sized, spindle-shaped whale with a small head, narrow beak and a low dorsal fin set far back. Adult males develop two large flattened teeth midway along the lower jaw; these project above the closed mouth and are often surrounded by scarring. Adults reach roughly 5–5.5m, and males are commonly darker than females (Wikipedia, general species account).

The species inhabits cold-temperate and subarctic North Pacific waters, where most knowledge comes from strandings rather than observations at sea. Like other beaked whales, it is adapted for deep diving and feeds mainly on squid and deep-water fish, captured by suction. Sightings indicate small, close groups, but reliable information on reproduction, movements and social behaviour remains limited (Wikipedia, general species account).

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