The Beaked Whales of the Family Ziphiidae

A concise yet richly detailed study of the world’s most elusive cetaceans, this work invites listeners into the secretive world of beaked whales. It explains how only a handful of specimens—about a hundred in all—have ever been documented, and why the family Ziphiidae remains one of the most mysterious groups of marine mammals. The author, a leading curator of a major national museum, frames the narrative with clear explanations of the three genera and the challenges of collecting and preserving them.

Drawing on rare specimens from the museum’s own holdings and recent finds along both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the book traces early expeditions that dramatically expanded the known range of these whales. It interweaves vivid descriptions of skulls, skeletons, and field notes with the stories of the naturalists who first uncovered these hidden giants. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the painstaking work that underpins our current understanding of these shy, deep‑diving mammals.