Baird’s beaked whale
Quick Summary
Baird's beaked whale (Berardius bairdii) is a large species of beaked whale found in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is one of the largest beaked whales, reaching lengths of up to 12 meters (40 feet). These whales are characterized by their bulbous foreheads and a distinctive set of four large, triangular teeth in their lower jaw, earning them the nickname "four-toothed whale." They inhabit deep, offshore waters and primarily feed on squid, fish, and other bottom-dwelling animals. Baird's beaked whales are known for their ability to perform extremely long and deep dives, with recorded dives reaching nearly 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) and lasting up to two hours. They are closely related to Arnoux's beaked whale, which inhabits the southern oceans.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
beaked whaleNatural history7 feet) for the giant bottlenose whale (Berardius bairdii), these mammals weigh between 1,000 and 14,000 kg (2,200 and 31,000 pounds). Colour is variable but usually consists of some combination of gray or black with white. Their bodies are often covered with scars from fighting each other and from…
Read More7 feet) for the giant bottlenose whale (Berardius bairdii), these mammals weigh between 1,000 and 14,000 kg (2,200 and 31,000 pounds). Colour is variable but usually consists of some combination of gray or black with white. Their bodies are often covered with scars from fighting each other and from…
Read More
bottlenose whaleBaird’s beaked whale (B. bairdii), and the kurotsuchikujira (the black Baird’s beaked whale, B. minimus) are commonly called giant bottlenose whales. (A genetic study of the gray and black forms of Baird’s beaked whale performed in 2016 revealed that the darker form was distinct enough…
Read MoreBaird’s beaked whale (B. bairdii), and the kurotsuchikujira (the black Baird’s beaked whale, B. minimus) are commonly called giant bottlenose whales. (A genetic study of the gray and black forms of Baird’s beaked whale performed in 2016 revealed that the darker form was distinct enough…
Read More