Spade-toothed whales are the rarest whales in the world. No one knows how many there are or what they eat. It is not even known exactly where they live in the vast southern Pacific Ocean because no sightings have ever been recorded.

Scientists may soon be able to solve at least some of those mysteries, however, as the remains of the five-meter (around 16-foot) long creature, a type of beaked whale, were found in New Zealand near a river estuary in the southern province of Otago on July 4.

It was identified as a male spade-toothed whale by marine mammal experts from New Zealand's Department of Conservation and the national museum, Te Papa, based on its color patterns and the shape of its skull, beak and teeth.

Scientists said Monday that a DNA test had been launched to confirm the classification.

Why is this finding important?

If the animal found is confirmed to be the spade-toothed whale, it would be the first to be found in a condition that would allow scientists to dissect it.

This would allow them to map the whale's relationship to the few others of the species found, learn what it eats, and perhaps provide clues as to where it lives.

"We know very little, practically nothing" about the creatures, Hannah Hendriks, marine technical adviser for the Department of Conservation, said. "This is going to lead to some amazing science and world-first information."

Only six other spade-toothed whales have ever been located. But those found intact on the beaches of New Zealand's North Island were buried before DNA testing could verify their identification, Hendriks said, thwarting any chance to study them.

What will happen next?

The whale's body has been placed in cold storage and genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland, which curates the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive. It may be several weeks or months before DNA processing and final identification is complete.

"The rarity of the whale means conversations around what to do next will take more time because it is a conversation of international importance," the Department of Conservation said in a statement.

The species was first described in 1874 from only a lower jaw and two teeth collected from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand. 

The first intact specimen came from a mother and calf stranded in the Bay of Plenty in 2010. New Zealand is a hotspot for whale strandings, with more than 5,000 recorded since 1840, according to the Department of Conservation.

dh/ab (AP, AFP)