Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, Hubbs' Beaked Whale [+]

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Hyperoodontidae Genus Mesoplodon species: Mesoplodon carlhubbsi [+ITIS +WoRMS]

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Description & Behavior

Hubbs' beaked whale, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi (Moore, 1963), is an uncommon species rarely seen in the wild. One sighting was reported near La Jolla, California. Adult Hubbs' beaked whales have measured up to 5.3 m in length. Males are dark gray to black with a white area located on the tip of the rostrum and lower jaw to the back of the teeth and around the blowhole. This white coloration makes them easier to identify in the water than females and juveniles, which are colored medium to light gray with white coloring on the flank and ventral side. Two teeth protrude from the rear of the lower jaw in males and remain concealed in the lower jaw of females. Very little is known about the behavior of Hubbs' beaked whales, however the large number of scars on males indicates a high level of aggression between males.

Beaked Whales (Family Hyperoodontidae)
These medium-sized to moderately large whales have a single pair of grooves on the throat. There is a distinct snout, and often the few teeth present are visible only in adult males. They have a single nostril or blowhole. Beaked whales are generally slender with a small dorsal fin placed towards the rear on the back. The rear edge of the flukes (tail fins) usually lacks a well-defined notch. These whales are deep divers and are rarely seen. Many species are known only from a few specimens, and little is known about the life history and biology of the group. All members of this family, except Blainville's beaked whale, are difficult to distinguish from each other, and study by museum experts is usually necessary for identification.

World Range & Habitat

Hubbs' beaked whale, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, can be found in the North Pacific Ocean from the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan in the west to British Columbia south to San Diego, California. These whales seem to inhabit cold temperate waters, and possibly follow the subarctic currents. What little is known about this species comes from the examination of 31 stranded specimens, many of which were found along the North American Pacific coast. Four strandings have also been reported from Ayukawa, Japan.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Tips] | Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution) [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)

Stomach content analysis of Hubbs' beaked whale, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, indicates a diet of squid and deep sea fish.

Life History

No data is currently available.

Conservation Status/Additional Comments

Hubbs' beaked whale, Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, because of its rarity, has not been hunted commercially, however there have been reports of harpooning this species off the coast of Japan.