Mammals
Spade-toothed Whale
Mesoplodon traversii · also called spade-toothed beaked whale
Known to science from only a small handful of stranded specimens found decades apart, the spade-toothed whale stands as one of the rarest and least understood mammal species alive, never once confirmed swimming in open water.
Overview
The spade-toothed whale, Mesoplodon traversii, is a Data Deficient marine mammal native to ocean habitat across deep offshore waters of the Southern Hemisphere, known from strandings around New Zealand and Chile. Its status as one of the rarest mammal species on Earth, its long history of mistaken identity with other beaked whales, and its complete absence from confirmed live observation make it one of the most genuinely mysterious large animals found anywhere on the planet.
A species that took decades to be believed real
For years, scattered stranded specimens were assumed to belong to already-known beaked whale species, until genetic testing revealed they were something entirely new, confirming the existence of a species so elusive it had gone unrecognised for generations.
Status
Data Deficient, with population size and trends remaining almost entirely unknown, making the spade-toothed whale one of the least documented of any living mammal.
Spade-toothed Whale: common questions
Has the spade-toothed whale ever been seen alive?
No, this species has never been confirmed alive at sea, with all scientific knowledge coming from a small number of stranded individuals found decades apart.
Why was the spade-toothed whale only recently recognised as its own species?
This species was long mistaken for other beaked whale species before genetic testing confirmed several stranded specimens actually belonged to a separate, distinct species not previously identified.
Why is it called the spade-toothed whale?
This species has a distinctive spade-shaped tooth that erupts at the tip of the lower jaw in adult males, a feature that gives the species its common name.
How rare is the spade-toothed whale?
This species is considered one of the rarest and least known mammal species on Earth, with only a small handful of confirmed specimens ever documented by researchers.