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Discover the magnificent cetaceans of our oceans

Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale

Photo: By Jörg Mazur - Author, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143501303

Least Concern

Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale

M. ginkgodens

About This Species

A poorly known species reaching 4.8-4.9m in length, distinguished by its wide, ginkgo leaf-shaped teeth in males. Notable for being more robust than most mesoplodont whales and having the least amount of scarring among Mesoplodon species, suggesting they are less aggressive. Found in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, primarily feeding on squid and deep-water fish through deep diving to depths over 3,500m.

Size

4.8-4.9m

Weight

1.5 tons