Gervais' Beaked Whale
Encyclopedia
Gervais' beaked whale sometimes known as the Antillian beaked whale, Gulf Stream beaked whale, or European beaked whale (from which its scientific name is derived) is the most frequently stranding type of mesoplodont whale off the coast of North America. It has also stranded off South America and Africa.
, but it has since been found off Ireland
, the Canary Islands
, western Africa
, and Ascension Island
. In August 2001, a specimen
was found off São Paulo
, Brazil; the southernmost specimen found to date. The species is believed to be naturally rare, and no estimates have been attempted.
Although this species frequently strands (the first occurring in 1840), until 1998, no human had seen a living specimen. Since then, only ten other sightings have occurred.
.
A sighting made in 1998, west of the island of Tenerife
, involved three whales swimming over waters 1500 meters deep.
Another small group was seen south of the island of Gran Canaria
. Although timid, the whales allowed close photos. They surfaced for a short time, and their dives lasted for around an hour.
In September 2008, northeast of the island of Lanzarote
, some Gervais' beaked whales were photographed breaching out of the water.
May 5th 2011, one juvenile female specimen was found dead and beached at Playa Larga of Maunabo on the southeast corner of Puerto Rico (Caribbean Sea). The juvenile had her stomach filled with (10 pounds) of plastic bags.
Jul 10 2011, one specimen was found dead in the Yucatan Peninsula, México, further investigation is being performed to confirm the species in this case.
Physical description
This species is the largest of the mesoplodonts and rather gracile, elongated, and laterally compressed compared with the others. The mouthline is remarkably straight, even in males, and the two teeth of the male erupt towards the tip of the beak, and are hardly noticeable. The head is overall small and tapering in outline. The melon only bulges very slightly. The coloration is dark gray on top and lighter gray on bottom. Females sometimes have lighter spots near the genitals and face, with a dark circle remaining around the eyes. Juveniles start off with a lighter coloration, but soon darken. Males are 4.5 meters (15 ft) in length and females are at least 5.2 meters (17 ft) and probably weigh more than 1200 kg (2600 pounds). Calves are believed to be 2.1 meters (7 feet) in length. One beached specimen may have been 48 years old.Population and distribution
The first stranding occurred in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but it has since been found off Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, western Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and Ascension Island
Ascension Island
Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa...
. In August 2001, a specimen
Specimen
A specimen is a portion/quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study.BiologyA laboratory specimen is an individual animal, part of an animal, a plant, part of a plant, or a microorganism, used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species or...
was found off São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
, Brazil; the southernmost specimen found to date. The species is believed to be naturally rare, and no estimates have been attempted.
Although this species frequently strands (the first occurring in 1840), until 1998, no human had seen a living specimen. Since then, only ten other sightings have occurred.
Behavior
Judging by beachings, the whales occur in small groups. They probably feed on squidSquid
Squid are cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle, and arms. Squid, like cuttlefish, have eight arms arranged in pairs and two, usually longer, tentacles...
.
A sighting made in 1998, west of the island of Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, involved three whales swimming over waters 1500 meters deep.
Another small group was seen south of the island of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands, with a population of 838,397 which constitutes approximately 40% of the population of the archipelago...
. Although timid, the whales allowed close photos. They surfaced for a short time, and their dives lasted for around an hour.
In September 2008, northeast of the island of Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote , a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 125 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering 845.9 km2, it stands as the fourth largest of the islands...
, some Gervais' beaked whales were photographed breaching out of the water.
May 5th 2011, one juvenile female specimen was found dead and beached at Playa Larga of Maunabo on the southeast corner of Puerto Rico (Caribbean Sea). The juvenile had her stomach filled with (10 pounds) of plastic bags.
Jul 10 2011, one specimen was found dead in the Yucatan Peninsula, México, further investigation is being performed to confirm the species in this case.