Pygmy whale discovered in New Zealand: 09-05-2008
A pygmy whale is giving scientists a chance to explore the secrets of the rare species after it was found in New Zealand.
The whale, which is only 7.5 feet long, was found at Spirit's Bay and scientists are beginning to examine the specimen.
When examining the whale the scientists found hair on its body which is unusual as most lose their hair soon after they are born, National Geographic reports.
The animals generally inhabit the waters of the southern hemisphere near New Zealand and they can grow up to 21 feet in length.
Anton van Helden, a marine mammal scientist at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, said very little is known about the creatures.
"That's the difficult part of trying to determine their relationship to other whales," he added.
Describing the whales, the told the magazine: "They have flippers like a beaked whale, and their dorsal fin is so far back down the body that you think their pants have slipped down."
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