Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Enigmatic ocean wanderers with mystical bottle-shaped snouts.

In the mystical depths of the ocean, the Northern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) emerges as a captivating and enigmatic cetacean. With their distinctive bottle-shaped snouts, these deep-sea wanderers navigate the shadowy realms of the Atlantic, captivating marine enthusiasts with their elusive nature. Known for their prolonged and hauntingly melodic vocalizations, Northern Bottlenose Whales weave a tapestry of communication that hints at the complexity of their social structures, creating an aura of mystery that surrounds these magnificent beings.

Residing in deep-sea canyons and cold temperate waters, Northern Bottlenose Whales engage in remarkable deep dives, reaching depths of up to 3,280 feet in search of squid, their primary prey. The ethereal nature of their presence is heightened by their extended lifespans, with some individuals living for over 70 years. As guardians of the deep, these mystifying ocean dwellers beckon exploration and understanding, inviting us to unravel the secrets hidden within the depths they call home.

Quick facts

Length

Male: 9m

Female: 8,5m

Calf: 3,5m

Weight

Male: 10 tons

Female: 10 tons

Calves: 300 kg

Habits

Dive Time

Up to 2h

Dive Depth

<2400

Reproduction

40 years

Life Span:

12mth

Gestation period:

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Typically group size varies according to region with usually 1-10 individuals and only rarely more than 20 individuals in one group. However, on average 2-3 individuals are found in the groups all over the world.

In terms of age and sex, some segregation could be observed with all-male groups, mixed groups and groups consisting of adult females with juveniles. Females seem to form more loose and fluid associations while males form long-term pair relationships that can last between days and years.

Nevertheless, until now functions of these relationships are unknown. All in all, a social fission-fusion structure is commonly observed.

Dive sequence

@Georgina Cabayol

Behavior

General +

Northern Bottlenose Whales are marine mammals and thus, they rely on breathing air. Unlike most other beaked whale species, northern bottlenose whales are fairly curious towards unfamiliar sounds, thus making them easier observable than others.

Communication +

Like other toothed whales, northern bottlenose whales use high-frequent whistles and echolocation for communication, feeding and navigation in the ocean.

Foraging +

As northern bottlenose dolphins are a deep-diving species, they mainly prey on deep-sea squid, but herring, prawns, sea cucumbers, and even starfish can occasionally be found in their stomachs, too.

Predators

The only occasionally observed predators for northern bottlenose whales are orcas. However, they seem to avoid predation quite well due to their deep-diving skills.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128043271000741

Distribution & Movements

This species can usually be found between 37° N and 55° N. Occasionally, individuals can be found as far South as South Carolina and Cape Verde. There is one well-studied population living in a submarine canyon called the Gully, southeast of the coast of Novia Scotia. Based on whaling records it appears that there are six different distribution hotspots existent: the eastern Scotian shelf, northern Labrador to southern Baffin Bay, between the Faroe Islands, Iceland east Greenland, and Jan Mayen, as well as south-west of Svalbard and northern and western Norway.

Yet, it is unknown if they possess migratory patterns. Some regions show seasonal peaks and other year-round residents. In general, it seems that they prefer open oceans and complex seabed structures paired with cooler temperatures as habitats. The preferred water depth commonly ranges between 800 – 1800 m.

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

7-13 years of age

Gestation period

12 months

Number of calves

one calf every 2 – 3 years

Suckling period

at least 12 months

Lifespan

about 40 years

Mating strategy

Males head butting each other to fight for females

Species in the Azores

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

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False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whales are elusive denizens of the North Atlantic, recognized by their slender beaks and distinctive forehead bulges.

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Mesoplodon bidens

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

View profile

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

View profile

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

View profile

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

View profile

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

View profile

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

View profile

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

View profile

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

View profile

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

View profile

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

View profile

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

View profile

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

View profile

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

View profile

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

View profile

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

View profile

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

View profile

Whale Watching Azores Essentials

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Enigmatic ocean wanderers with mystical bottle-shaped snouts.

Quick facts

Length

Weight

Habits

Reproduction

Reproduction

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Near Threatened Conservation concern, Monitor and protect habitats.

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Dive sequence

Behavior

Predators

Distribution & Movements

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

Gestation period

Number of calves

Suckling period

Lifespan

Mating strategy

Species in the Azores

Sighting frequency

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Species

Departure Points

Dates

Related Scientific Articles

Sardà, C. et al (2011): AzoresPhotoID: First Results from an Open-Access Photo-Identification Catalog

Cosentino, A. et al (2010): Spatial and temporal distribution of Northern Bottlenose Whales off Pico Island

Hartman, K.et al. (2010): First Photo-Identification Catalogue of Northern Bottlenose Whales off Pico Island, Azores

González, L. (2018): Spatio-temporal distribution of the order Cetacea in the Azores: relationship between biotic and abiotic variables

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Sei Whale

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Near Threatened

Conservation concern, Monitor and protect habitats.