Cuvier’s Beaked Whale by Laurie McBride

Overview Classification Classification Habitat Habitat Physical characteristics Physical characteristics Behavior Behavior Sonar definition and effects Sonar definition and effects Evidence Evidence

Classification Order: Cetacea Order: Cetacea Family: Ziphiidae Family: Ziphiidae Scientific name: Ziphius cavirostris Scientific name: Ziphius cavirostris Common names: Common names: –Cuvier’s Beaked Whale –Goose-beaked Whale –Goosebeak Whale

Habitat Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Prefer deep water Prefer deep water Large number of strandings Large number of strandings determines distribution determines distribution

Physical Characteristics Mass: 3000 kg Mass: 3000 kg Length: up to 7 m Length: up to 7 m Small, blunt head Small, blunt head Single pair of teeth, males only Single pair of teeth, males only

Physical Characteristics Flipper pockets Flipper pockets Varied coloration Varied coloration Scar coverage Scar coverage Swirling patterns Swirling patterns

Behavior Deep divers Deep divers Found in small pods Found in small pods Feed on squid, fish, crustaceans Feed on squid, fish, crustaceans No specific breeding season No specific breeding season Stranded more than other beaked whales Stranded more than other beaked whales Why? Why?

What is Sonar? Man-made echolocation Man-made echolocation LFAS LFAS Use of sonar Use of sonar –Fishing –Military Harmful to Harmful to marine life?

What are the Effects? Navigation Navigation Breeding Breeding Communication Communication Behavior Behavior Inner ear damage Inner ear damage Leads to strandings Leads to strandings

What is the Evidence? Bahamas strandings Bahamas strandings Canary Islands strandings Canary Islands strandings Necropsies Necropsies Both events coincided with sonar exercises Both events coincided with sonar exercises

In Conclusion Classification of Cuvier’s Beaked whale Classification of Cuvier’s Beaked whale Found in deep waters of several oceans Found in deep waters of several oceans Unique physical characteristics Unique physical characteristics Behavior includes deep diving Behavior includes deep diving Sonar definition and effects Sonar definition and effects Evidence includes strandings Evidence includes strandings

References ml ml ml Ostdiek, V, Bord, D Inquiry Into Physics. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole. 504p. 8. McCarthy, Susan Do we kill whales with sound? Discover 23(4) HOME