Shepherd's Beaked Whale

About This Species

One of the largest beaked whales at 6-7.1m length, unique among beaked whales for having a full set of functional teeth (17-27 pairs) in both upper and lower jaws of both sexes. Dark brownish-black dorsally with paler sides and distinctive white throat patch and blaze above pectoral fins. Found in deep, cold temperate waters of Southern Hemisphere in circumpolar distribution. Unlike other beaked whales, feeds on both fish and squid rather than primarily squid.