Spade-toothed whale

The spade-toothed whale is the rarest species of beaked whale known, with only seven confirmed specimens found between 1872 and 2024. All seven originated in the South Pacific, six from New Zealand and one from Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile, and the species is presumed to inhabit only the Southern Hemisphere, possibly restricted to the South Pacific basin. Estimated adult length is 5.0 to 5.5 meters; a documented adult female measured 5.3 meters and a male calf 3.5 meters. The whale is dark gray or black on its upper body with white underneath. The IUCN lists it as Data Deficient, and it is listed under CITES Appendix II.