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In recent years, there has been increasing concern that loud underwater sounds, such as active sonar and seismic operations, may be extremely deadly to beaked whales .

The use of active sonar from military vessels has been implicated in mass strandings of beaked whales in the Mediterranean Sea, the Bahama's and the Canary Islands.

Similar military active sonar operations occur around the Hawaiian Islands.

The increasing levels of anthropogenic noise in the world’s oceans is a habitat concern for whales, particularly for deep-diving whales like Longman’s beaked whales that feed in the oceans’ “sound channel”.

Beaked Whales have frequently ingested plastic bags (which do not break down and can be lethal)

Hawaii's Beaked Whales

Beaked whales are so difficult to observe that some have never been seen alive and only a few have been studied in detail. In addition to having a "beak" of differing lengths, beaked whales also have flipper pockets, depressions in the body wall into which thier large flippers can be tucked. Males of the species have only a single pair of teeth and some resembling tusks. Females and juveniles are toothless.

They have an extraordinary ability to dive for long periods, they are seldom seen at the surface, and to great depths: 1,899 metres and possibly more, making them the deepest diving air-breathing animals known.

CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE (Ziphius cavirostris): Cuvier's beaked whales appear to be one of the most abundant of the beaked whale family. Their foreheads slope gently to a slight beak that becomes less obvious with age. They have two teeth that are just visible when the mouth is closed.

Cuvier's beaked whales tend to travel alone (especially older males) or in groups of about 10. They are not acrobatic animals although they have been observed breaching. Their blow is not noticeable unless they have just completed a long dive. Their dives usually last from 20 to 40 minutes.

BLAINVILLE'S BEAKED WHALE (Mesoplodon densirostris): Blainville's beaked whales are present off the Waianae Coast of Oahu for prolonged periods annually. They are regularly sighted in slope areas of 500 - 1000 m deep, with even deeper gullies nearby.

The male Blainville's beaked whale is very odd looking. They have a pair of massive teeth protruding from bulges on the lower jaw that may become encrusted with barnacles. The females’ teeth do not erupt but they still have the bulges on the jaw. The jawbone of Blainville's beaked whale has a greater density than elephant ivory. This gives rise to one of its names; the dense-beaked whale.

Blainville's beaked whales perform short dive sequences at 15-20 second intervals followed by deep dives of up to 45 minutes duration. On surfacing the beak points skyward. After taking a breath, the beak is sometimes slapped on the surface and the animal may roll slightly before disappearing. Their blow or spout is small but can be seen on a clear day to project forward.

Blainville's Beaked Whale images from Wild Side charters.

LONGMAN’S BEAKED WHALE (Indopacetus pacificus): considered one of the rarest and least known cetacean species. Until recently, it was known only from two skulls found in Australia and Somalia. Sightings are rare due to their deep-ocean distribution, elusive behavior and possible low numbers.

They have been seen at sea in tight groups of 5-20 animals, and sometimes up to 100 individuals. They are sometimes seen with short-finned pilot whales and
bottlenose dolphins.

They probably feed on deep-sea fish, squid and possibly crustaceans and echinoderms found on the sea floor. Because they lack functional teeth, they presumably capture most of their prey by suction.

Our wildlife tours focus on education and conservation so that an interactive relationship can be maintained in the best interest of both humans and dolphins. We strive to foster admiration and deep respect for these wonder-ful marine mammals.

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Wild Side Specialty Tours
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Waianae Boat Harbor
Oahu Hawaii 96792 (near Ko Olina Resort)
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