Species MammalsNorthern Bottlenose Whale

Northern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Northern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus)

The Northern Bottlenose Whale is the best-known beaked whale in the North Atlantic, with a distinctive bulbous melon and short beak. Males develop a prominent forehead with age. It dives to extreme depths for squid and has a curious nature—historical whalers exploited its tendency to circle stricken pod members, making entire groups easy to harpoon.

Habitat
Deep subarctic and Arctic North Atlantic waters
Diet
Squid, fish, and sea cucumbers
How common
Uncommon

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