page_title: Northern bottlenose whale
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Northern bottlenose whale / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: A male northern bottlenose whale "spy hops" in the Gully, NS during a research expedition taken by the Whitehead Lab.
context_page_description: The northern bottlenose whale is a species of beaked whale in the ziphiid family, being one of two members of the genus Hyperoodon. The northern bottlenose whale was hunted heavily by Norway and Britain in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is one of the deepest-diving mammals known, reaching depths of 2,339 m and capable of diving for up to 130 minutes.
context_section_description: When physically mature, northern bottlenose whales can reach 9.8 metres (32 ft) in length, smaller than giant beaked whales, and larger than known records of southern bottlenose whales. Their foreheads, or melons are sexually dimorphic, so that mature males have larger melons, which are flattened or square shape, while mature females and juveniles have rounder melons. Melon coloration can vary, though it appears the head of most males becomes more white or buff colored with age. The beak is not as long as other beaked whale species, and only mature males have two small teeth, which erupt at the front end of the bottom jaw, but are not easily seen. Females also have teeth, but they are buried in the jaw and do not erupt. The dorsal fin is relatively small, at 30–38 centimetres (12–15 in) and about two thirds of the way back on their bodies. It is falcate (sickle-shaped) and usually pointed. The back is mid-to-dark grey with a lighter underside. They weigh approximately 5,800–7,500 kilograms (12,790–16,530 lb). Females generally live around 27 years, whereas males can live to be 37. Males typically become sexually mature at around the age of 9 and females at the age of 10.
caption: S northern bottlenose whale in Newfoundland.
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