BEAKED WHALES 



The Beaked Whales are so called because of the 

 great development of the beak of the skull, which 

 is composed of durable and solid bone, as dense 

 as ivory. These Whales possess a single pair of 

 teeth usually about midway between the anterior 

 and posterior parts of the lower jaw. There are 

 several species of Beaked Whales recorded from the 

 Northern and Southern Hemispheres. 



CURVIER'S WHALE 



(Ziphius cavirostris) 



Curvier's Whale is porpoise-like in shape. Speci- 

 mens have been recorded 30 feet in length. 

 Although of almost world-wide distribution, it is 

 rare everywhere. Having been recorded from the 

 seas off our coast, it is included in the list of South 

 African animals. 



Curvier's Whale has a pair of average-sized conical 

 teeth in the lower jaw near the front. These point 

 upwards and forwards. 



218 



