#20-Beaked Whale Tooth

I found several bones (including this tooth) from a beaked whale washed up on the rocks at Papa Aroha on the Coromandel.

Beaked whales (systematic name Ziphiidae) are a family of cetaceans noted as being one of the least known groups of mammals because of their deep-sea habitat and apparent low abundance. They are moderate in size, ranging from 4.0 to 13 metres (13.1 to 42.7 ft) and weighing from 1.0 to 15 tonnes. 

Below: A Cuvier's beaked whale:

Beaked whales are unique among toothed whales in that most species only have one pair of teeth. The teeth are only visible in males, which are presumed to use these teeth in combat for females for reproductive rights. In females, the teeth do not develop and remain hidden in the gum tissues. 

 

Read more:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaked_whale

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