Scientists with the South Australian Museum have been studying the carcass of a whale that washed ashore; while they have identified the species as a Hector’s beaked whale, they remain uncertain about two extra teeth found above the animal's jaw.
A whale that washed ashore in Australia has an unusual feature that remains a mystery to scientists.
In February, experts from the South Australian Museum went to the location and found a deceased beaked whale; this species of animal is typically not discovered alive because of its deepwater habitat.
However, as they were examining the carcass on-site, they noticed the presence of two pointy teeth “protruding above the jawline.”
Team member Dr. Catherine Kemper is quoted by ABC News as saying, “These teeth were something I had never seen before...My mind was thinking, ‘do we have something new here?’”
After the
