This species is highly inquisitive and frequently approaches boats. This has made them more susceptible to scientific study, whale watching and unfortunately hunting than the other beaked whales (2). This is a social species that travels in groups of four to ten members strong (5) (7). They feed on deep-water squid, as well as other invertebrates and various fish species (2), using sonar to detect their prey; when hunting they dive to depths of 1,000 metres or more (2). This species is unusual as it spends the whole year in cold water, and does not make seasonal migrations like most other whales (2). The average life span of this whale is thought to be somewhere between 30 and 40 years (5).