Layard whale

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Layard whale
Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria
Order : Whales (cetacea)
Subordination : Toothed whales (Odontoceti)
Family : Beaked whales (Ziphiidae)
Genre : Two-toothed whale ( Mesoplodon )
Type : Layard whale
Scientific name
Mesoplodon layardii
( Gray , 1865)

The Layard whale ( Mesoplodon layardii ) is a species of whale from the family of the beaked whales (Ziphiidae). It is the largest of all representatives of the genus of the two-toothed whale (Mesoplodon) and has the longest teeth.

distribution

Distribution area

Layard whales are circumpolar in the seas of the southern hemisphere . Strandings or sightings are known from Chile , Argentina , Uruguay , Namibia , South Africa , Australia and New Zealand , among others , they are most frequently observed in the Australian-New Zealand area.

description

Adult animals are dark brown-gray to black in color, white areas can be found in the genital area, on the snout and on the throat. The back is colored light gray from the blowhole to behind the fin . The snouts of these animals are long and thin, the males have two long, flattened, curved teeth protruding from the lower jaw. In old males, the teeth can cross over the snout in an arch shape and have the effect that the mouth can only be opened a little, which does not seem to bother him when eating. Layard whales reach a length of 5 to 6.2 meters and a maximum weight of 2.7 tons, with the females becoming slightly larger than the males.

Way of life

Layard whales are inhabitants of temperate, cool oceans. They usually stay away from the coast in the open sea. They are considered shy animals that dive away when a ship approaches. The males' protruding teeth are used in rival fights, as evidenced by the scars on these animals. The diet consists largely of squid and fish that live on the seabed . Investigations of the stomach contents of stranded animals showed that the prey animals of males and females were approximately the same size, although the latter can open their mouths much wider. The whales may suck their prey into their mouths.

threat

Layard whales are considered to be relatively common and widespread whales in southern waters. They were never hunted on a commercial scale.

literature

  • Rüdiger Wandrey: Whales and Seals of the World. Franckh-Kosmos Verlags GmbH, 1997, ISBN 3-440-07047-6 .

Web links

Commons : Layard whale ( Mesoplodon layardii )  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files