Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris Blainville, 1817

Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Ziphiidae

July and August

ID characteristics

Large dolphin-like body with flattish forehead and indistinct melon Highly variable body color, from dark grey to warm brown but dark upper side and whitish underside Falcate dorsal fin set about two thirds back from its beak may be prominent

Arched lower jaw forming bulges around the base of the thick beak. Mature adult males have large teeth projected from the arched lower jaw.