Diagnostic Description
provided by FAO species catalogs
Stejneger's beaked whale has the characteristic Mesoplodon body shape. Apparently, both sexes are uniformly grey to black, often with extensive scarring in bulls. The flattened tusks of males are situated near the middle of the lower jaw, and point forward. They are located on raised prominences, so that the crowns extend above the rostrum. Can be confused with: Adult males will be distinguishable from most other Mesoplodon species by tooth shape and position. Within Stejneger's beaked whale's range, both Hubbs' beaked whale and Blainville's beaked whale males have similar teeth.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Brief Summary
provided by FAO species catalogs
Groups of 5 to 15 individuals have been observed, often containing animals of mixed sizes.Stejneger's beaked whales are known to feed on squid.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Benefits
provided by FAO species catalogs
Several Stejneger's beaked whales are known to have been taken in salmon driftnets off Japan, and there have probably been occasional direct catches of this species off Japan and possibly elsewhere. IUCN: Insufficiently known.
- bibliographic citation
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- author
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
