Pygmy Beaked Whale
Mesoplodon peruvianus
About This Species
Length3.4-3.9m
Weight0.7-0.9 tons
The smallest member of genus Mesoplodon at only 3.4-3.9m maximum length. Dark grey dorsally fading to light grey ventrally, with spindle-shaped body and short dark-tipped beak. Found in deep oceanic waters of the eastern tropical Pacific, feeding on mid- to deep-sea fish and squid. Known primarily from strandings off Peru and a few other Pacific locations, making it one of the least known cetaceans.
Others in Mesoplodon

Ziphiidae
True's Beaked Whale
M. mirus
Least Concern
Ziphiidae
Gervais' Beaked Whale
M. europaeus
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Sowerby's Beaked Whale
M. bidens
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Blainville's Beaked Whale
M. densirostris
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Hector's Beaked Whale
M. hectori
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Hubbs' Beaked Whale
M. carlhubbsi
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Stejneger's Beaked Whale
M. stejnegeri
Near Threatened
Ziphiidae
Andrews' Beaked Whale
M. bowdoini
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale
M. ginkgodens
Least Concern
Ziphiidae
Gray's Beaked Whale
M. grayi
Least Concern
Ziphiidae
Strap-toothed Beaked Whale
M. layardii
Least Concern
Ziphiidae
Perrin's Beaked Whale
M. perrini
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Spade-toothed Whale
M. traversii
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Deraniyagala's Beaked Whale
M. hotaula
Data Deficient
Ziphiidae
Ramari's Beaked Whale
M. eueu
Data Deficient
