Mesoplodon hectori
Hector's Beaked Whale [+]
Description & Behavior
The Hector's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hectori (Gray, 1871), (aka New Zealand beaked whale and skew-beaked whale) is a rare deep-water whale colored dark gray to brown on the dorsal side, pale gray on the ventral side. Data on the size of this species has been collected through strandings of the animal. The largest stranded male measured 4.3 m in length, and the largest female measured 4.43 m. A small triangular tooth protrudes from either side of the lower jaw in males similar to that of the True's beaked whale. Females also have these teeth, but they remain inside. The presence of these teeth in males are probably responsible for the scratches and scars commonly seen on the flanks of these animals. They have a small, rounded dorsal fin the front of which angles sharply toward the body.
Beaked Whales (Family Hyperoodontidae)
These medium-sized to moderately large whales have a single pair of grooves on the throat. There is a distinct snout, and often the few teeth present are visible only in adult males. They have a single nostril or blowhole. Beaked whales are generally slender with a small dorsal fin placed towards the rear on the back. The rear edge of the flukes usually lacks a well-defined notch. These whales are deep divers and are rarely seen. Many species are known only from a few specimens, and little is known about the life history and biology of the group. All members of this family, except Blainville's beaked whale, are difficult to distinguish from each other, and study by museum experts is usually necessary for identification.
World Range & Habitat
Hector's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hectori, is found in the Southern Hemisphere: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Falkland Islands, and South America. It was thought that the range was extending into the Northern Hemisphere as several beaked whales were found stranded in Southern California, however, recent DNA analysis showed that the stranded animals represented a new species now known as the Perrin's beaked whale, Mesoplodon perrini, after the famous American cetologist Dr. W. F. Perrin.
Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
Stomach analysis of an adult Hector's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hectori, showed squid as the primary diet of these whales.
Life History
No data. Almost nothing is known of the biology of the Hector's beaked whale.
Conservation Status/Additional Comments
No data. As above.
References & Further Research
BioOne ~ CITES ~ Discover Life ~ GBIF ~ Google Scholar ~ ITIS ~ IUCN RedList ~ MarineBio Network ~ NCBI ~ SCIRIS ~ SIRIS ~ Tree of Life Web Project ~ Wikipedia
Factsheets - Hector's Beaked Whale - Australian Museum
CMS: Mesoplodon hectori, Hector's beaked whale
Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation (CCRC) - Beaked whales (+ videos)
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood, and M.A. Webber, FAO species identification guide, Marine mammals of the world, Rome, FAO. 1993. 320 p. 587 figs.
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