“…and today we’re talking about a sea creature that does not have a beak. More on that later.”
Description
They have a robust, cigar-shaped body, a short, stubby beak, and a slightly curved mouth resembling a goose’s beak.
Their coloration varies from dark gray to reddish-brown, often with a lighter head and white scars or patches, especially in males, from social interactions or cookie-cutter shark bites.
A small dorsal fin set far back, a sloping forehead, and a single pair of throat grooves. Males have two small, conical teeth at the tip of the lower jaw, which remain hidden in females.
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com.
Free Willy (1993) – Willy’s Big Jump Scene (10/10) | Movieclips
Length of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale has a total length of 23 feet (7 meters). How many objects fit into the whale’s length (if the object is shorter) or how many whales fit into the object’s length (if the object is longer)?
a) The length of a whale shark’s pectoral fin
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish in the ocean, has a pectoral fin measuring about 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) for a large adult, based on marine biology data.
b) The length of the USS Gerald R. Ford’s anchor chain
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, has an anchor chain measuring 1,440 feet (439 meters), as documented in maritime records.
c) The length of a giant tube worm
A giant tube worm (Riftia pachyptila), found in Pacific deep-sea hydrothermal vents, reaches about 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length for a large specimen.
Question: How many fit into each length comparison?
A) 5.7 whale shark pectoral fins go into the length of a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
B) 65.7 Cuvier’s Beaked Whales go into the length of the USS Gerald R. Ford’s anchor chain
C) 2.9 giant tube worms go into the length of a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Weight of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale weighs 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg). How many objects fit into the whale’s weight (if the object is lighter) or how many whales fit into the object’s weight (if the object is heavier)?
a) The weight of a Mola mola (ocean sunfish)
A Mola mola (Mola mola), found in temperate and tropical oceans, averages 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) for a large adult.
b) The weight of the RMS Titanic’s anchor
The RMS Titanic’s main anchor, a historical maritime artifact, weighed approximately 16,000 pounds (7,257 kg), as recorded in shipbuilding records.
c) The weight of a humpback whale calf
A newborn humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae), found in global oceans, weighs about 2,000 pounds (907 kg).
Question: How many fit into each weight comparison?
A) 3.0 Mola mola go into the weight of a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
B) 2.8 Cuvier’s Beaked Whales go into the weight of the RMS Titanic’s anchor
C) 4.3 humpback whale calves go into the weight of a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Fast Facts
Habitat: They prefer deep waters (1,000–3,000 meters) near continental slopes, seamounts, or canyons, from tropical to temperate regions. Sightings are rare due to their offshore habits and brief surface intervals.
Social Structure: Typically solitary or in small groups of 2–7, though larger aggregations occur in productive feeding areas. They’re shy and often avoid boats, making observation challenging.
They have a unique “sprint” diving strategy, rapidly descending to extreme depths to hunt, followed by slow ascents to conserve oxygen.
Scarring patterns on males are thought to result from competitive interactions, possibly over mates or territory.
Their global distribution and diving prowess make them a key species for studying deep-ocean ecosystems.