Zifio (Ziphius cavirostris)
Escursioni nel Santuario dei Cetacei in Liguria | Whalewatching nel Mediterraneo | Birdwatching nel Golfo Ligure

Escursioni nel Santuario dei Cetacei in Liguria | Whalewatching nel Mediterraneo | Birdwatching nel Golfo Ligure Zifio (Ziphius cavirostris)

Zifio (Ziphius cavirostris)

The Zifio can reach a length of about 7 meters, the females are generally a little bigger than the males.

The color tends towards brown and lighter circular spots are visible.

They generally live in deep waters in small groups of 2-7 individuals and are therefore difficult to meet along the coast. It has always been considered a shy animal and difficult to spot, but in recent years, encounters have become increasingly frequent in the Ligurian Sea.

The caudal fin is not very high and is placed in the rear third of the back, for this reason from a distance it can sometimes be confused with the fin whale, but when approaching it is easily recognizable both for the color and for the particular shape of the head. Also, while fin whales are usually one or at most two, beaked whales live in small pods. Lives approximately 60 years.

 

Sightings of beaked whales made by the boats of the Liguria Via Mare Consortium:

2022: 63  sighted beaked whales in 77 outings

2021: 64 sighted beaked whales in 55 outings

2020: 29 sighted beaked whales in 35 outings

2019: 22 sighted beaked whales in 33 outings

2018: 27 sighted beaked whales in 50 outings

2017: 40 beaked whales sighted in 39 outings

2016: 34 sighted beaked whales in 53 outings

2015: 22 sighted beaked whales in 43 outings

2014: 18 beaked whales sighted in 48 outings

2013: 11 beaked whales sighted in 55 outings

2012: no beaked whale sighted in 47 outings

2011 (data referring to April-June period only): no beaked beaked whale sighted in 20 outings

2010: 6 sighted beaked whales in 83 outings

 

To view the complete list of sightings click here.

Look at the photos of the beaked whales spotted during our outings.