Whale species found (again)
A new whale species thought to live in the deep ocean has been discovered (or rediscovered) by scientists in Sri Lanka. The amazing find came to light after researchers began studying seven whales that washed up and stranded on a remote tropical islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Mesoplodon hotaula are part of the beaked whale family, which is a group of toothed whales distantly related to sperm whales.
This exciting find, coming just a week after a new species of river dolphin was identified, confirms yet again how whales, dolphins and porpoises never cease to amaze, given that a whales of this size can live among us and yet remain a mystery.
Find out more and whales and dolphins in our species guide