Elusive Deep-Sea Ghost Revealed: Scientists Photograph Mysterious Ginkgo-Toothed Whale
Science
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Moneycontrol•13-01-2026, 16:10
Elusive Deep-Sea Ghost Revealed: Scientists Photograph Mysterious Ginkgo-Toothed Whale
- •Marine researchers captured the first live photographs of the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale in June 2024 off northern Baja California, solving a 60-year mystery.
- •The discovery linked the whale to a previously unidentified high-frequency sound (BW43) detected in deep ocean waters, aiding conservation efforts.
- •Expeditions used hydrophone cables to track BW43 pulses, allowing scientists to photograph the whales during brief surfacing moments.
- •DNA testing from a collected skin sample confirmed the species, providing crucial information on its appearance, behavior, and habitat.
- •Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are powerful deep-sea divers, reaching 17 feet and over 4,000 kg, and are year-round residents of deep canyons off California and Baja California.
Why It Matters: First live photos and DNA confirm the elusive ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, solving a 60-year mystery.
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