A lifelong whale researcher recently encountered a living pair of gingko-toothed beaked whales for the first time ever in the wild. The encounter advances the science of beaked whales enormously, for in addition to confirming the whole genome of the animal, it also linked this elusive species to a well-recorded whale song that can now […]
Tag: beaked whale
These rare whales had never been seen alive. Then a team in Mexico sighted two
It was an early morning in June 2024 and along the coast of Baja California in Mexico, scientists on the Pacific Storm research vessel were finishing their coffee and preparing for a long day searching for some of the most elusive creatures on the planet. Suddenly a call came from the bridge: “Whales! Starboard side!” […]
Deep-Diving Whales Could Unlock Treatments for Human Disease
The goose-beaked whale, known for reaching record-breaking depths in the ocean, may hold secrets that could transform human medicine. According to National Geographic, researchers are studying how these elusive whales survive extreme oxygen deprivation during dives that last for hours—adaptations that could inspire new therapies for conditions like stroke, cancer, and even COVID-19. Unlike humans, […]
Dissecting the world’s rarest whale – in pictures
Conservationists and scientists in New Zealand were astonished to find the world’s rarest whale washed ashore in the South Island in July. As only the seventh spade-toothed whale identified, and with none ever seen alive, this month saw the first dissection of a complete specimen Rangers in New Zealand inspect a beaked whale, believed to […]
Washed-Up Whale May Be One of the World’s Rarest
The spade-toothed whale holds the title of the world’s rarest whale species, with no live sightings ever documented. This mysterious creature, which roams the vast southern Pacific Ocean, remains an enigma to scientists who have little knowledge about its population, diet, or habitat. However, a recent discovery in New Zealand may offer a breakthrough in […]