Beaked whale

/bˈiːkt wˈeɪl/

[noun]

Beaked whale

[NOUN]

a group of elusive and mysterious cetaceans known for their distinct beak-like snouts, deep-diving abilities

What is a "beaked whale"?

Beaked whales are a diverse group of cetaceans with unique characteristics, including their beak-like snouts and impressive deep-diving abilities. They are known for their elusive nature, often living in deep-sea habitats that make them challenging to study. Beaked whales are known to inhabit oceans around the world, and there are several different species within this group, each with its own unique features and behaviors. Despite their enigmatic nature, beaked whales play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and are important indicators of the health of our oceans. However, they face various threats, including entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise pollution, and habitat degradation, which highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these fascinating and elusive creatures.

Examples

1. Sperm Whales and Elephant Seals can stay underwater for an hour or two which is pretty impressive for marine mammals And the Cuvier's Beaked Whale holds the mammalian title for longest recorded dive at 137 and a half minutes

2. Oddly, Harvey couldn't remember noticing the creature in the moment, but after the photo went viral, internet crawlers were quick to classify the creature as anything from a beaked whale to a bizarre cross between a hippo and a crocodile.

3. Southern elephant seals can dive more than 2400 meters, and in 2014, scientists watched as a Cuvier’s beaked whale dove 3000 meters below the surface.