By 2025, the spade-toothed whale remains one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth. According to a report from The Travel website, only six individuals of this species have been documented since the 19th century. Five of these were found in waters surrounding New Zealand, while the seventh was identified off Robinson Crusoe Island near Chile.
Its scarcity once led many to believe it was a mythical creature. However, the discovery of a new specimen in mid-2024 has garnered significant attention, marking the seventh documented sighting of this elusive whale.
This majestic creature, scientifically known as Mesoplodon traversii, was found stranded alone off the southeastern coast of New Zealand, near the fishing village of Taieri Mouth on Otago Beach. The solitary male was already deceased when scientists arrived for examination.
Measuring about five meters in length, experts swiftly deployed heavy equipment to carefully transport the body for further research. The specimen will undergo detailed analysis to uncover more about this enigmatic species. Preserved samples will contribute to expanding the scientific repository on spade-toothed whales.
“Spade-toothed whales are among the least understood large mammals in modern times,” said Gabe Davies from the Department of Conservation Otago, New Zealand. Historically, these whales inhabited the deeper waters of the southern Pacific Ocean. The species name, traversii, honors Henry Travers, a naturalist from New Zealand.
The importance of this rare find cannot be overstated. Scientific studies on the species have been ongoing since its initial discovery in 1872, utilizing complete jaw and dental specimens alongside skull fragments found in 1872 and 1950. One of the most valuable insights came from analyzing DNA samples, which helped identify maternal offspring pairs—discovered in 2010 at Opape Beach near Whakaari (White Island). Initially mistaken for common gray bottlenose whales (Mesoplodon grayi), DNA analysis confirmed they were, in fact, spade-toothed whales, one of the most endangered species on the planet.
The 2024 find was subjected to in-depth analysis at Invermay AgResearch Centre, involving collaboration across various scientific disciplines. The study revealed that this whale belongs to the Ziphiidae family, known for deep-diving abilities. It features a specialized organ not found in other species, unique in its anatomy.
The spade-toothed whale uses small fins to hunt squid and small fish in the deep sea and possesses nine stomach compartments designed to store unprocessed prey and parasitic worms. An extraordinary vocal organ produces distinctive sounds characteristic of whales.
The analysis also indicated that the 2024 specimen suffered a head injury, likely contributing to its death during the beaching. This finding serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ocean conservation and careful navigation in marine environments to protect these rare creatures and their delicate habitats.
This article originally appeared on detikTravel.
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Through 2025, the spade-toothed whale remains one of the world’s rarest marine mammals; since the 19th century, only seven individuals have ever been documented. Primarily found in New Zealand waters, with one discovered off the coast of Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island, this elusive species was once thought to be mythical. The recent discovery of a male stranded near Taieri Mouth, on Otago Coast, New Zealand, marks only the seventh documented find. Want to learn more about these amazing creatures and other discoveries in the natural world? Explore the latest research with a [1 Year Subscription: Nature Ecology & Evolution](https://pollinations.ai/redirect-nexad/QkKGQkmV?user_id=25263117) and stay informed on groundbreaking insights in ecology and evolution!
