Rare Whale Washes Ashore At San Onofre State Beach

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A creature found on the rocky shoreline of San Onofre State Beach Friday was identified as a pygmy sperm whale.

The whale had "a large bulbous head, long, spiky teeth," and created much conversation among lifeguards and State Beach officials, according to the Orange County Register.

San Onofre State Beach Lifeguard Todd Shanklin reported finding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with a possible bullet hole that could indicate the cause of death of the sea creature. The Orange County Register reported it was unclear if the bullet hole occurred pre- or postmortem.

Officials from NOAA will examine the carcass, and present their findings at a later date.

Pygmy sperm whales are protected by the Marine Mammals Protection Act.