Classification: 

Gray's beaked whales are slightly better known than other beaked whales.

There have been several live sightings of individuals and small groups in the wild.

Information gained from these live sightings supplements that gained from stranded individuals.

 

 

Appearance: 

The Gray's beaked whale is among the most easily recognisable of the beaked whales due to the long slender white beak and straight jawline, which resembles in profile the rough-toothed dolphin.

Males have two small teeth set back from the tip of the beak, which can be seen when the mouth is closed.

Both the male and female have rows of tiny teeth in the upper jaw behind the main teeth.

The body is robust and spindle-shaped with a small head and a flat, white forehead. It is dark blue-grey, brown-grey or black on the upper side and the belly is pale grey with white or yellow spots on the underside and sides. Scars and rake marks indicate there may be competition among males for mates.

 

 

Behaviour: 

Gray's beaked whales seem to be more active at the surface than other beaked whales and have been seen breaching at a shallow angle.

When swimming at speed they make low, arc-shaped leaps, and when surfacing Gray's beaked whales typically poke their white beaks out of the water first.

They have been observed singly, in pairs, and in small groups.

A mass stranding of 28 animals occurred on the Chatham Islands, east of New Zealand in 1874 suggesting the possibility that large numbers may be encountered together.