Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale:
A team of scientists has spotted the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) for the first time in the wild along the coast of Baja California in Mexico.
- It is one of 24 species of beaked whales, which are the second most diverse group of cetaceans after dolphins.
- It resides in tropical and temperate waters throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- It has a robust body and is less heavily scarred than other beaked whales.
- The flippers are small, pointed and narrow.
- It has a pair of distinguishing ginkgo-shaped teeth, one on each side of the lower jaw towards the middle of the beak.
- These beaked whales are the deepest-diving mammals on Earth.
- They spend most of their lives in the oceans, only coming to the surface for air for a few minutes at a time, usually far away from coastlines.
- They are very shy and easily frightened when approached by a boat.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Data Deficient
- CITES: Appendix II.
