A Rare Breed of Whale Washed Up On Shore In Ipswich, MA

This rare, small breed of whale is called a pygmy sperm whale. According to Salem News, it washed up on the shore of Steeple Hill Beach in Ipswich MA yesterday. Discovered by beachgoers, the whale was still alive when it was found but eventually died :(

It was nearly 10 feet long and weighed 800 pounds!

It is unclear what the cause of death was but biologists assume it was either hit by a boat or consumed a plastic bag mistaking it for squid, the whale's favorite food.

The carcass has been transported to the New England Aquarium in Quincy, MA where they will conduct a necropsy.