Mesoplodon beaked whales

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH

15–20 ft

WEIGHT

~0.9–1.8 tons (1,800–3,530 lbs; NOAA ranges for Blainville's and Stejneger's)

LIFESPAN

At least 35 yrs (Stejneger's, NOAA); not well established for most of the genus

DIET

Deep-water squid and small fish

RARITY

Very rare — offshore only

SEASON

Year-round, deep water

Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →

How to ID

What to look for

Small, cryptic, scarred; males show tusks on the lower jaw. Rarely identified to species.

BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR

Brief inconspicuous surfacingsLong deep divesTusks and linear scarring on adult males

When

Best months to see

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Last 30 days

Total seen

Days active

0/30

Last seen

Not seen

DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR

TODAY

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Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)

Newport & Long Beach operators share daily trip counts — you can see what was spotted before you book. Other operators don't publish daily reports.

Newport Coastal Adventure

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Newport Whales

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Davey's Locker

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Harbor Breeze

LONG BEACH · No sightings reported yet today

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Dana Wharf

1 common dolphin

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San Diego Whale Watch

250 common dolphins

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