Baird's beaked whales are thought to be the largest of the beaked whales.

Subspecies
None

Life span
They are believed to be long-lived. A male killed off the coast of Japan was thought to be 82 years old.

Statistics
Baird's beaked whales have a body length of 10.7-12.8m and weigh 11-15 tonnes. Females are larger than males.

Physical description
Baird's beaked whales have a dark body but are often covered in algae of varying colours. The front teeth are visible and they have a bulbous melon and pronounced beak. The dorsal fin is small. Baird's beaked whales are larger than Arnoux's.

Distribution
Baird's beaked whales live in the northern Pacific in temperate regions.

Diet
They feed on fish, squid and krill.

Behaviour
Baird's beaked whales live in groups of 3-30.

Reproduction
Females have a gestation period of 17 months.

Conservation status
Baird's beaked whales are classified as Lower Risk by the 2000 IUCN Red List.

Notes
40-60 Baird's beaked whales are killed each year off the Boso Peninsular, Japan.