Perrin’s Beaked Whale vs small tortoiseshell

Mesoplodon perrini compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Perrin’s Beaked Whale is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Perrin’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 perrini	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Perrin’s Beaked Whale

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Perrin’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.