Blainville's Beaked Whale

Name: Blainvilles Whale
Scientific Name: Mesoplodon densirostris
Family: Ziphidae
Length: Males reach at least 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in) Females reach at least 4.6 m (15 ft) Juveniles are 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight: Males 800 kg (1,800 lb) Females 1 ton (2200 pounds) Juveniles 60 kg (130 lb)

Adult Length: 4 - 6 m (13 - 19 ft)
Coloration: Blue-gray to orange-brown

Blow: Small blow projects forward, sometimes visible
Breaching: Unknown
Group size: 1-6

Category: Mammals
Number of Species: 32
Endemic Species: 6

In total, 32 indigenous species of mammals have been recorded in Galapagos in recent times. This excludes domesticated species which have become feral (dogs, cats, pigs, goats, donkeys, horses and cattle) and introduced rodents (rats and mice). Six species are endemic to the archipelago, four of which are confined to single Islands. The greater majority of the species recorded, 25 in total, are cetaceans (whales and dolphins). The mammals that occur in Galapagos can be divided into 4 types.

Occasionally seen offshore.

Identification:
Very similar in shape and size to other beaked whales of the genus Mesoplodon. Identification requires close views of the beak which appears first as me animal surfaces. The forehead is low and flat leading to a shortish beak, behind which both sides of me lower jaw are distinctly arched towards the base. Unlike Gingko-toothed Beaked Whale the arch is rounded. Mature males display a large single tooth, irrupting from me centre of each arch.