Baird’s beaked whale is one of the largest of the toothed whales, a group that also includes other beaked whales, sperm whales, and belugas and narwhals. Baird’s beaked whale is sometimes called the giant bottlenose whale or giant beaked whale. It may grow to a length of around 42 feet (13 meters) and weigh over 12 tons (11 metric tons). Females grow somewhat larger than males, but they do not live nearly as long. Female Baird’s beaked whales live about 54 years, whereas males live about 84 years. The whales were named in honor of Spencer Fullerton Baird, an American naturalist who served as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is a scientific, educational, and cultural organization in Washington, D.C.
Baird’s beaked whales live only in the cool northern waters of the North Pacific Ocean. They are generally seen in what appear to be close-knit groups of up to 10 individuals. Occasionally, the groups may number as many as 30 or even 50 whales. The whales prefer waters 3,000 to 10,000 feet (1,000 to 3,000 meters) in depth. They are deep divers. Baird’s beaked whales may sometimes stay underwater for over an hour to feed on deepwater fish and squid.
Baird’s beaked whales differ from most other beaked whales in that adults have two pairs of erupted teeth—teeth that break through the gums—instead of one. Both pairs are near the tip of the lower jaws. In addition, both adult male and female Baird’s beaked whales have erupted teeth. In most other beaked whales, only the males have them. Baird’s beaked whales may use their teeth to grasp food, but they probably rely mainly on suction to catch prey, which are swallowed whole. 
Like other large toothed whales, Baird’s beaked whales are slow to mature. Females do not give birth until they are well over 10 years of age. Adult females give birth to a single calf about 15 feet (4.5 meters) in length once every two to three years. Long white scars are common on the dark gray or black bodies of adults, especially males. These scars are presumed to result from fighting among individuals. Baird’s beaked whales may also bear wounds and scars from the bites of cookiecutter sharks and from killer whales.
