Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Ziphius cavirostris
- Common name
- Cuvier's beaked whale
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Ziphiidae
- Genus
- Ziphius
- Size
- 500–700 cm
- Depth
- 0–2992 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Ziphius cavirostris reaches 7 m and 3 tons. Medium-sized beaked whale brown-gray to beige marked with white scars (intraspecific fights), short rostrum. Holds world diving record for marine mammals: 2992 m and 137 minutes on apnea. Lives in deep waters off continental slopes and seamounts. Spotted in Azores, Madeira, Canaries, Liguria (Pelagos sanctuary), Bahamas. Rare surface encounters between huge dives. Documented deadly military sonar effect.
Photo of Cuvier's beaked whale
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cuvier's beaked whale?
- Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) reaches 500–700 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cuvier's beaked whale?
- Cuvier's beaked whale is found between 0–2992 m deep.
- Is the Cuvier's beaked whale dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Cuvier's beaked whale?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Cuvier's beaked whale?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Ziphiidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 137127)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2440369)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia