Arnouxs Beaked Whale
Whale Watching South Africa

© © Steve L.

Name : Arnoux's Beaked Whale
Scientific Name : Berardius arnuxii
Class : Mammalia
Family : Ziphidae
Order : Cetacea (suborder) - Odontoceti
Shape : Arnouxs Beaked Whale has a bulbous melon and a spindle-shaped body. Pronounced, dolphin-like beak with front teeth visible when mouth closed. Extensively scarred body with broad, flat back. Jaw contains second, concealed pair of teeth, which erupt late in life.
Fins : Short, broad flippers almost parallel trailing and leading edges. Triangular or falcate dorsal fin with rounded tips and is very small in relation to body size.
Length : Adults measure between 7.8 - 9.7 metres and newborns 4.5 metres.
Weight : Adults weigh between 7 - 10 tons.
Colour : Although dark in colour, the body may appear pale brown or even orange at sea; this is caused by a covering of microscopic algae, called diatoms, over the body. Pale grey or white cloudy patches on underside, with heavy white scarring, especially on upper side (juveniles less scarred).
Diet : Small fishes and octopus.
Population : Most reported strandings of Arnouxs Beaked Whale have been around New Zealand and it seems to be relatively abundant in Cook Strait, especially during spring and summer.
Migration : Known to enter pack-ice and may live very close to the ice edge in summer, but likely to move away during winter.
Habits : Normally elusive. Cruises slowly at the surface, blow is low, bushy, and diffuse. Small groups 6 - 10 or 1 - 80 stay close together, surfacing and blowing in unison. Beak may appear first when surfacing.
Distribution : Main concentrations of sightings known from South Georgia, in the South Atlantic Ocean and South Africa. Tends to occur near deep escarpments, seamounts and other areas with steep-bottomed slopes.

Types of Whales

Find out all you need to know about the different types of whales and their habitats......more

Whale Watching in South Africa

Travel articles and experiences about whale watching in South Africa....more
Whale Watching South Africa : Whale Trail Hermanus, Cape Whale Coast, Garden Route
©2024 Siyabona Africa (Pty)Ltd - Private Travel