Hector’s Beaked Whale vs small tortoiseshell

Mesoplodon hectori compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Hector’s Beaked Whale is Data Deficient while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Hector’s Beaked Whale	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Hyperoodontidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Mesoplodon	Aglais
Species	Mesoplodon hectori	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Hector’s Beaked Whale and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Hector’s Beaked Whale

DD — Data Deficient

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Hector’s Beaked Whale	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Hector’s Beaked Whale

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.