About This Species

Smallest Berardius species at 6-7m length, distinguished by nearly black coloration and proportionally shorter beak (3.6% vs 5.8% of body length in B. bairdii). Known to Japanese whalers as 'kurotsuchi' (black hammer), found in North Pacific waters including Sea of Japan. Exhibits fewer linear scars than other Berardius species but shows distinctive round cookiecutter shark bite marks.