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9 July 2009
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Southern bottlenose whale
Hyperoodon planifrons

Southern bottlenose whales have a wider distribution than their northern relatives.

Subspecies
None.

Life span
Unknown.

Statistics
Body length: 6-7.5m, Weight: 6-8 tonnes.

Physical description
Southern bottlenose whales are dark grey/brown, with a pale underside. They sometimes have a pale band around the neck, and a small dolphin-like beak. The forehead is bulbous and they have a small dorsal fin. The body is often scarred, suggesting aggression between other southern bottlenose whales.

Distribution
They inhabit the South Atlantic, Indian and South Pacific Ocean.

Diet
Southern bottlenose whales feed on squid.

Behaviour
They live in groups of 1-25. They are able to dive for over an hour.

Conservation status
Southern bottlenose whales are classified as Lower Risk by the 2000 Red List.




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