Arnoux’s Beaked Whale:
A team of researchers has stumbled upon rare Arnoux’s Beaked Whales off the coast of Antarctica recently.
- Arnoux’s Beaked Whale are a rare cetacean species.
- A cetacean is a member of the family of large aquatic mammals such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
- Scientific Name: Berardius arnuxii
- Arnoux’s Beaked Whales are a gregarious species generally found in groups of 6-10, but larger groups of 80 individuals have been recorded.
- They are found only in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Their distribution is circumpolar in deep, cool temperate and subpolar waters, generally south of 40°S to the edge of the Antarctic ice shelf (approximately 78°S).
- They are known for brilliant diving abilities and can measure up to around 30 feet long.
- Females are thought to be slightly larger than the males.
- The body is spindle-shaped and resembles dolphins in appearance.
- The dorsal fin is small, triangular, slightly hooked, and positioned well back on the body.
- They are predominantly dark brown in color with paler colouring on their head and ventral sides (undersides), which also have white patches.
- Like other whale species, males show extensive scarring, particularly around their dorsal fins.
- They are often called Southern four-toothed Whales because of their four teeth found in their lower jaws that are visible even when their mouth is closed.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern
