This species is assumed to be a deep diver (6) that only comes close to the shore to give birth, as many strandings are females with their newborn calves, and sightings of this whale are extremely rare (5). Gervais' beaked whale is nearly impossible to distinguish from other beaked whales when sighted at sea (2). Females are thought to be larger than males, becoming sexually mature at 4.5 m and giving birth to highly dependent young of just 2.1 m. The species is known to live to at least 27 years in the wild (2). They are thought to live in couples or small groups, and fighting between males is assumed to occur as stranded males are highly scarred. However, the distinctive tooth marks of the cookie-cutter shark and the orca have been seen on individuals as well. The stomach, which has unexplained multiple chambers, has been found to contain mainly squid, in addition to deep sea shrimp and viper fish (2).