What is the maximum recorded diving depth of a northern bottlenose whale?
Answer
2,339 metres
A northern bottlenose whale has been recorded diving to a maximum depth of 2,339 metres.
This extreme dive makes the species one of the deepest-diving whales known. Northern bottlenose whales are beaked whales, a family specialized for pursuing prey in the deep ocean. They use echolocation to locate squid and deep-sea fish during long underwater foraging trips.
The species lives mainly in the North Atlantic and adjacent Arctic waters. Its long, prominent beak can make it resemble a dolphin, but its stocky body and distinctive forehead identify it as a beaked whale. Dive records are measured with electronic tags, which track depth and movement rather than relying on surface observations.