Cuvier’s beaked whale

  • On-Tales-Cuvier's-Beaked-whale

    Ziphius cavirostris, Cuvier

These are shy and peaceful whales.

Cuvier’s beaked whales spend most of their time under water.

They are relatively small although they can reach 6 metres.

Long and slim, the colour of their body can be from dark grey to dark brown.  Their head ends with a beak. Males may feature 2 visible teeth in the lower jaw.

Although not yet scientifically confirmed, they are believed to have a lifespan of up to 60 years.

They are exceptional divers : up to 1.5 hour and 2500 meters deep ! They do so in order to feed on cephalopods and fish.

We can usually see them in groups of 3 to 7 individuals. No known marin predators, other than threat from direct capture by fishing gear, collision with boats and ingestion of plastic.

They do not seem to appreciate boats and this makes their study difficult.