Northern Bottlenose Whale - Hyperoodon ampullatus

The northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) is a beaked whale that has a gray body, dark brown to gray tail, and a light forehead and a small beak. They reach lengths of 7m-9m (23ft-29ft) and weights of 5.8 tonnes to 7.5 tonnes). Northern bottlenose whales have small pointed flippers, a dorsal fin located on its lower back, a bulbous forehead and a beek with 2-4 teeth in its lower jaw.

Northern bottlenose whales have broad flukes without notches. The trailing edge of the fluke is concave. They are capable of dives averaging 14 to 70 minutes and can stay underwater as long as 2 hours.Squid, octopus, fish, invertebrates (Source: Cawardine).

Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Cetacea
• Family: Ziphiidae
• Genus: Hyperoodon
• Species: Hyperoodon ampullatus

Where to See:

North Atlantic, Arctic ocean. Normally found in waters deeper than 1000m.

References:

• Cawardine M. 1995. Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. London: Dorling Kindersley.
• Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.
• Mundinger G. 2000. Hyperoodon ampullatus, Animal Diversity Web. June 21, 2006.