Rare deep-sea whale with ‘tusk-like’ teeth washes up on Californian coast

The animal was photographed on the Mendocino Coast last Sunday.

WARNING: Images below may disturb some readers

Noyo Center’s Stranding Coordinator, along with a team of volunteers, collected tissue samples from the beaked whale.

It explained the “fascinating” creature can dive deeper than any other marine mammal, which makes them hard to find and study.

There a many species in the Northern Pacific and they can dive to depths of 2000 metres.

They also sport an impressive set of teeth.

“Beaked whales are unique among toothed whales in that most species only have one pair of teeth,” Noyo Center for Marine Science wrote.

“The teeth are tusk-like, but are only visible in males, which are presumed to use these teeth in combat for females for reproductive rights.

“In females, the teeth do not develop and remain hidden in the gum tissues.”

The fish was caught more than 3000 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia and 6500 metres below the Indian Ocean’s surface.

It may be an entirely new species.