Unlike most beaked whales, Shepherd's beaked whales feed on fish, and not squid.

Subspecies
None.

Life span
Unknown.

Statistics
Body length: 6-7m, Weight: 2-3 tonnes.

Physical description
Shepherd's beaked whales have a dark brown/black upper surface, fins, flippers and flukes, and a creamy underside. They have a light patch on the top of the head, diagonal stripes on the sides and a steep, round forehead with a long, narrow beak.

Distribution
They live in the seas around New Zealand and South America, probably in deep water.

Diet
Shepherd's beaked whales feed on fish.

Behaviour
The behaviour of Shepherd's beaked whale is unknown.

Conservation status
They are classified as Data Deficient by the 2000 Red List.

Notes
Shepherd's beaked whales are one of the least-known cetaceans. They are only known from about 20 strandings and a few sightings.