Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration.

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale, recognized for its notable bulbous head and succinct beak, is a species enveloped in mystery, despite its wide distribution. Renowned for its exceptional diving capabilities, this species holds the record for the deepest dive known among mammals, reaching depths that highlight their extraordinary adaptations to deep-sea life. Their distinct morphology, characterized by a prominent melon and relatively indistinct beak, makes them a unique subject of study.

Additionally, their preference for deep oceanic waters underlines a lifestyle tailored to exploiting the rich resources of the abyssal zones. Despite their frequent sightings and wide geographical spread, many aspects of their biology and ecology remain elusive, underscoring the need for continued research into their deep-sea behavior, social structure, and conservation status.

Quick facts

Length

Adults: 6m

Calves: 2,8m

Weight

Adults: 2,9 tons

Calves: 300 kg

Habits

Dive Time

60 mins

Dive Depth

<3000m

Reproduction

Up to 60 years

Life Span:

12 months

Gestation period:

Dive sequence

@Georgina Cabayol

Behavior

Socializing +

These whales are adept at echolocation, primarily using it below 500 meters to navigate and hunt, while at the surface, they maintain silence to evade detection by predators. Their echolocation clicks, crucial for communication and locating prey, are remarkably consistent across different ocean basins, illustrating a sophisticated and specialized form of social interaction and environmental adaptation.

Resting +

While specific resting behaviors are less documented, like other deep-diving species, Cuvier’s Beaked Whales likely engage in short periods of inactivity, possibly at various depths, to recover from their extensive dives. These intervals are crucial for their well-being, allowing them to conserve energy for hunting and social activities.

Foraging & Diet +

Cuvier’s Beaked Whales primarily utilize suction feeding on or near the seabed, a technique that enables them to capture prey with minimal effort. This method is especially effective in the deep-sea environment, where their prey resides.

Their diet consists of deepwater squid, fish, and crustaceans, highlighting their role as apex predators within their ecosystem. This diverse diet reflects their ability to exploit a range of deep-sea resources, underpinning their survival in one of the ocean’s most challenging environments.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/cuviers-beaked-whale

Distribution & Movements

This species has a wide distribution, found in cool polar to warm tropical waters around the world, but generally absent from very high latitudes and waters shallower than 200 meters. Interestingly, it is the only beaked whale species commonly found in the Mediterranean, where high-density areas like the Alboran Sea have been identified through research.

These whales demonstrate a preference for deeper waters near the continental slope or oceanic waters with complex seabed topography. They are typically found in waters deeper than 1,000 meters, and most sightings occur in Hawaiian waters at depths of 1,500-3,500 meters.

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual Maturity

Cuvier’s Beaked Whales are believed to reach sexual maturity at about 7-9 years of age, indicating a relatively slow growth to reproductive age, which is common among larger marine mammals.

Gestation Period

The gestation period for Cuvier’s Beaked Whales is similar to that of other beaked whales, 12 months, allowing for the development of a single, well-developed calf.

Number of Calves

Typically, a single calf is born every 2-3 years, reflecting the species’ K-selected life history strategy, which emphasizes quality of offspring over quantity.

Suckling Period & Nursing

The duration of lactation is presumed to be over a year, during which the calf depends on the mother for nourishment and learns crucial survival skills.

Calves may stay with their mothers for an extended period, even beyond the suckling phase, to further develop and refine their diving and foraging skills.

Lifespan

They have a lifespan of up to 60 years, with some individuals possibly reaching much older ages, showcasing the species’ long-term survival strategies.

Mating Strategy

Little is known, but the extensive scars suggest that males fight for females using their teeth.

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Ziphius cavirostris

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Orcinus orca

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Orcinus orca

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Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

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Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

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The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

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Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration.

Quick facts

Length

Weight

Habits

Reproduction

Reproduction

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern <img width="21" height="26" class="graphics-design-i" src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tooltip-more-info-futurismo.svg"> Common and widespread, low vulnerability.

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Dive sequence

Behavior

Predators

Distribution & Movements

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual Maturity

Gestation Period

Number of Calves

Suckling Period & Nursing

Lifespan

Mating Strategy

Species in the Azores

Sighting frequency

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Species

Departure Points

Dates

Related Scientific Articles

González, L. (2018): Spatio-temporal distribution of the order Cetacea in the Azores: relationship between biotic and abiotic variables

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern

Common and widespread, low vulnerability.