Diagnostic Description
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da FAO species catalogs
Sowerby's beaked whales have the typical Mesoplodon body shape, but tend to have a very long (for Mesoplodon) beak and a bulge on the forehead. The 2 teeth of adult males erupt from the middle of the lower jaw, and are visible outside the closed mouth, although they are not particularly large. Coloration is not well known, but generally appears charcoal grey, with a lighter belly. White or light grey spots are common on the body of adults; however, young animals have less spotting. Can be confused with: Sowerby's beaked whales might be confused with other species of Mesoplodon and even bulls would be nearly impossible to distinguish at sea from related species. The limited distribution will help narrow the choices.
- sitassion bibliogràfica
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- autor
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Size
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da FAO species catalogs
Males reach lengths of at least 5.5 m and females, 5.1 m. Newborns average 2.4 m.
- sitassion bibliogràfica
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- autor
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Brief Summary
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da FAO species catalogs
Almost nothing is known of the natural history of this species beyond what has been learned from strandings, which have involved singles and pairs.Sowerby's beaked whales feed on squid and small fish. The breeding season appears to be late winter to spring.
- sitassion bibliogràfica
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- autor
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Benefits
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da FAO species catalogs
Some are known to have been taken in Newfoundland in a small-scale fishery. IUCN: Insufficiently known.
- sitassion bibliogràfica
- Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. .
- autor
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
