dolphins whales community
PERRIN'S BEAKED WHALE
Mesoplodon perrini
Classification:
Perrin's beaked whale, as with most beaked whales, is unknown.
The only existing information on this species has been gleaned from five strandings and two possible sightings at sea.
Appearance:
The Perrin's beaked whale has a small, thick body with a deep tailstock.
It has a small head, the melon forming a small bulge, with a short rostrum. The dorsal fin is small and triangular, set about 2/3 of the way back the body.
The adult male has a single pair of large triangular teeth at the tip of the lower jaw which extend slightly above the upper jaw.
It is dark grey dorsally fading to white ventrally.
Only adult males would be readily identified at sea due to their external appearance.
Behaviour:
Their behaviour is similar to other beaked whales, and scarring suggests competition among males for mates. There is evidence that this species prefers deeper waters (i.e. >1000m) and examination of stomach contents of stranded individuals indicates a diet of mainly squid.
Other names:
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n/a
1.
Maximum length:
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Male: 3.9m
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Female: 4.4m
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Calf: Unknown
2.
Maximum weight:
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Male: Unknown
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Female: Unknown
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Calf: Unknown
3.
Diet:
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Squid
4.
Estimated population:
Unknown
5.
Distribution map:
Distribution:
All recorded strandings have occurred around southern and central California, suggesting that the Perrin's beaked whale is endemic to this area of the Pacific Ocean.
It is probable that this species suffers from similar threats to the other beaked whales, including noise pollution, bycatch, marine debris, and climate change.
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