Summary

The three individual fragments of this fossilised beaked whale rostrum (snout) were found at the same Bayside beach, many years apart. This was the second fragment found, and represents the middle part of the snout. It was discovered by Connah Brecon while diving at Beaumaris near Melbourne. It fit together perfectly with a piece from the tip of the snout found by Tim Flannery in 1977, and a later third fragment of the base of the snout that Connah found in 2021.

Beaked whales (Ziphiidae) are some of the most mysterious and rare living whale species, rarely seen by humans. They first evolved in the Miocene, more than 15 million years ago.

Specimen Details

Taxonomy