Cuvier’s beaked whales rarely breach or display other active behaviours at the surface. Their blow is relatively inconspicuous, reaching only about 1 m in height, slightly angled forward, and occurring every 20–30 seconds. Like other beaked whale species, Cuvier’s beaked whales are capable of extremely deep dives, typically reaching depths of up to 1,000 m for as long as 40 minutes while foraging for cephalopods, fish, and crustaceans. Their throat contains a pair of ventral grooves that enable them to expand the throat region and create suction, allowing them to capture prey effectively. These whales are usually reported in groups of two to seven individuals, but they have also been frequently reported as being seen solo.

Cuvier’s beaked whales are known for their exceptional diving abilities. The deepest recorded dive by this species reached nearly 3,000 m, while the longest recorded dive lasted 222 minutes.

This species is estimated to live for up to 60 years and reaches sexual maturity between 7 and 10 years of age. Following a gestation period of approximately one year, females typically give birth to a single calf every 2–3 years. Calves are dark blue or black in colour and measure up to about 2.5 m in length at birth.

Cuvier’s beaked whales face several threats. One of the primary risks is entanglement in fishing gear. When caught, individuals may drag the gear over long distances, which can lead to fatigue, impaired feeding ability, and severe injury.