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| Ecology and Behavior |
| This species is the most cosmopolitan of the beaked whales, and is fairly common in certain areas, such as the eastern tropical Pacific. Dives of up to 40 minutes have been documented. Cuvier's beaked whales are found mostly in small groups of 2-7, but are not uncommonly seen alone.
Seasonality of calving is not known in this species. In general, Cuviers life history is very poorly-known. |
| Feeding and Prey |
| Cuvier's beaked whales, like all beaked whales, appear to prefer deep water. Although few stomach contents have been examined, they appear to feed mostly on deep-sea squid, but also take fish and some crustaceans. |
| Threats and Status |
| Never the main target of commercial whalers, Cuviers beaked whales have sometimes been taken in other fisheries. A few (3-35 per year) were taken in past years in the Bairds beaked whale fishery off the coast of Japan. The only other threat that is known is the apparent mass strandings of Cuviers beaked whales that have resulted from Naval sonar tests, such as those occurring recently in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.
Data Deficient (IUCN); Not Listed (ESA). |
| References |
HEYNING, J. E. 1989. Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier, 1823. Pp. 289-308 in S. H. Ridgway and R. Harrison, eds. Handbook of marine mammals, Vol. 4 River dolphins and the larger toothed whales. Academic Press.
HEYNING, J. E. 2002. Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris. Pp. 305-307 in W. F. Perrin, B. Würsig and J. G. M. Thewissen, eds. Encyclopedia of marine mammals. Academic Press.
HOUSTON, J. 1991. Status of Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris, in Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:215-218. |
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