Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Scientific Name: Ziphius cavirostris
Illustration by Pieter A. Folkens
Cuvier’s beaked whales are found in all oceans and major seas, however these whales are rarely sighted in Hawai`i, possibly because of their diving behavior.  They frequently dive for periods over one hour in duration to depths beyond 4500 feet.  This whale has a short “beak” as compared to other whales within the same family (Ziphiidae).  Very little is known about the diet of this whale, however it is thought that they feed on open-ocean crustaceans and fish that occur well below the surface.
FAMILY ZIPHIIDAE
MEASUREMENTS AT BIRTH
LENGTH	8’10” (2.7 m)
WEIGHT	About 550-660 lb (250-300 kg)
MAXIMUM MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH	About 23’ (7 m)
WEIGHT	MALE At least 5,700 lb (2,600 kg)
	FEMALE About 6,600 lb (3,000 kg)
LIFE SPAN	40-60 years