Hubbs' Beaked Whale
(Mesoplodon carlhubbsi)
Habitat
Temperate waters of the North Pacific
Range
Along the west coast of North America between Prince Rupert, British Columbia south to San
Diego, California; also seen off Honshu, Japan
Eats
Mesopelagic squid, octopus, and deep sea fish
Behavior
Very little is known about their behavior. There has been only one sighting of a live animal
off the coast of California; they were identified through the study of 31 stranded animals.
Scarring on males is probably the result of competition for females during the breeding
season.
Reproduction
Calving takes place mainly in summer.
Threats
Entrapment in drift gillnets, water pollution
Status
Nothing is known about the abundance of Hubbs' Beaked Whales. The species is not known to
have been, or to be, of interest to commercial fisheries.
Notes
Two prominent triangular teeth erupt from the rear of their lower jaw, but remain concealed
in females.
Contact for page content: olympiccoast@noaa.gov
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