True's Beaked Whale is found on the east coast of America and Canada from Nova Scotia down to the Bahamas, as well as on the west coast of Scotland, Ireland and France. Strandings have also been reported on the coast of South Africa and Australia. Frederick True, the American biologist, identified this species in 1913. Its specific name, mirus , means 'wonderful', and reflects True's excitement at his discovery. The True's Beaked Whale from the Northern Hemisphere are grey fading to light grey on the undersides.
Adults have a dark ring around the eye and some areas of white.
Southern Hemisphere adults have a white area trailing backwards from the dorsal fin, a darker, flecked belly, and the tip of the beak becomes white. Scratches and scars appear on all animals, and a small tooth is exposed either side of the lower jaw in males. True's Beaked Whale tends to prefer temperate waters. A stomach analysis of an adult True's Beaked Whale shows that squid is the main food source.