Cuvier's Beaked Whale
by Christopher Teague Photography
Ziphius cavirostris
Common in cosmopolitan temperate & tropical waters.
In Europe, they occur occasionally sighted in deep waters as far as Ireland & Britain.
Regularly seen throughout the deep waters of the Bay of Biscay.
Males and Females tend to be similar in size; however, Females are sometimes found to be bigger.
Adult Males are typically a dark grey over most of their body, with the head being slightly lighter grey or even white.
Females vary from dark grey to a reddish-brown, and their head lightening is usually less pronounced.
Adult Males often bear numerous scars along their bodies.
The scars are believed to be from battles between other Males, as well as interactions with predators, such as cookiecutter sharks and lampreys.