Dimorphic Beaked Whale
The dimorphic beaked whale (Mesoplodon dimorphicus) or shovel-headed whale is a cetacean from the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it has been observed off Mexico, Panama, and Peru, as well as in the open ocean.
The dimorphic beaked whale is usually around 16-18 ft (4.8-5.5 m) in length, and it is distinguished by a flattened head and a wide, low-based, triangular dorsal fin with a white base. The larger males possess white "racing stripes" on a black background.
Two color morphs have been recognised: one is nondescript and uniformly grey-brown, whereas the other is conspicuously marked black-and-white (or black/brown, chocolate brown or dark olive brown).
The males are larger, black-and-white and often bear scars,
Close-up, the border between the blackish background and the white or creamy swathe is revealed to be broken up by white dappling on a dark background.
younger individuals have a white swathe formed entirely out of spots, the white swathe develops from increasingly-closed spotting as the animal matures. The head and beak of the black-and-white morph are reddish-brown to tan, and the lower jaw is paler
Like other members of the Beaked Whale family, the dimorphic beaked whale forages in deep waters, feeding on deep sea fishes and squids and using suction to capture its prey.