Shepherd's Beaked Whale [Tasmacetus shepherdi]
Description
The Shepherd's Beaked Whale is the only known species in the genus Tasmacetus. It is a rarely seen beaked whale species that inhabits the cold, deep waters of the Southern Hemisphere. The species is known for its distinctively long beak and large dolphin-like body that can reach up to 7 meters in length. They have a unique set of teeth, with only the males displaying one pair of visible teeth towards the middle of the lower jaw, unlike other beaked whales that have teeth on the tip of the lower jaw. They are believed to feed on squid and fish. Their behavior and reproduction are largely unknown due to their elusive nature.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Mammals
Mammalia
|
| Order |
Cetaceans
Cetacea
|
| Family |
Beaked whales
Ziphiidae
|
| Genus |
Tasmacetus
Tasmacetus
|