Toothed whale · Ziphiidae

Blainville’s beaked whale

Mesoplodon densirostrisBlainville, 1817

Named for its incredibly dense jawbone, the densest bone known in the animal kingdom. Blainville’s beaked whales live in warm, deep waters and are regularly recorded around Madeira and the Azores.

  • Baleia-de-bico-de-Blainville
Illustration of a Blainville’s beaked whale: a dark grey whale with an arched lower jaw and pale spots
Illustration: NOAA Fisheries
Conservation statusLC

Least Concern

IUCN Red List · global
  1. LC
  2. NT
  3. VU
  4. EN
  5. CR
  6. EW
  7. EX
Population trend
unknown
Legally protected under
  • EU Habitats Directive
  • CITES II
Weight0.8–1 t
Length4.5–6 m
LifespanUnknown
DistributionDeep tropical & warm temperate seas
Main threats
  • Military sonar
  • Underwater noise
  • Plastic ingestion
  • Bycatch
01About the speciesBlainville’s beaked whale is one of the most widespread species in the genus Mesoplodon, found in deep tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide.

Blainville’s beaked whale is one of the most widespread species in the genus Mesoplodon, found in deep tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide.

Its scientific name, densirostris, means “dense beak”: its jawbone is the densest bone ever measured. In Portugal it is seen mainly around Madeira and the Azores.

02Population statusThe species is listed as Least Concern, but there are few population estimates.

The species is listed as Least Concern, but there are few population estimates. Studies in the Canary Islands and Bahamas have found small, resident populations.

Its status in Portuguese waters is unknown, though it is one of the more frequently recorded beaked whales around Madeira.

03AppearanceThe lower jaw arches sharply upwards in adult males, with a large tooth erupting from the top of each arch — sometimes overgrown with barnacles.

The lower jaw arches sharply upwards in adult males, with a large tooth erupting from the top of each arch — sometimes overgrown with barnacles. This gives the head a striking, almost horned profile.

They are dark blue-grey above and paler below, often covered with oval scars from cookie-cutter sharks and long scratches from other males.

04Behaviour & dietThey feed on small squid and deep-water fish, diving to depths of around 1,000 metres for nearly an hour, then making a series of shallower dives.

They feed on small squid and deep-water fish, diving to depths of around 1,000 metres for nearly an hour, then making a series of shallower dives.

They are usually seen in small groups of three to seven and are quiet near the surface, which helps them avoid predators such as killer whales.

05Lifespan & reproductionLittle is known about their lifespan.

Little is known about their lifespan. Females are thought to reach maturity at around 9 years and give birth to a single calf every three years or so.

Calves are about 2 metres long at birth.

06ThreatsLike other beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whales are very sensitive to military sonar and have been involved in sonar-related mass strandings.

Like other beaked whales, Blainville’s beaked whales are very sensitive to military sonar and have been involved in sonar-related mass strandings.

Plastic ingestion and occasional bycatch in fisheries are also recorded.

Legal protection
  • EU Habitats Directive — Annex IV
  • CITES — Appendix II
07Scientific classificationZiphiidae › Mesoplodon › Mesoplodon densirostris
  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassMammalia
  4. OrderArtiodactyla
  5. InfraorderCetacea
  6. ParvorderOdontoceti
  7. FamilyZiphiidae
  8. GenusMesoplodon
  9. SpeciesMesoplodon densirostris
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