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| Distribution |
According to Todd Pusser (pers. comm.), this species of cold waters has been "accoustically detected in January and March 2020 off Hatteras". He indicates that there are apparently additional echolocation records in NC waters, as well as a sighting by him (5 individuals) in July 1998 "about 100 miles off Corolla [Currituck County]". There do not appear to be any known NC strandings, nor any direct observations with photos of individuals.
A strictly North Atlantic Ocean species, ranging west to Labrador and south regularly to VA, with scattered records southward into warmer waters, even to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. It ranges east to the North Sea, in northwestern Europe. In fact, Pusser states that it is the most frequently encountered beaked whale in the cool waters in Norfolk Canyon off southeastern VA. He indicates there are "two standings in Virginia Beach, another from Georgia, one from Florida, and another in the Dominican Republic." The record from Mexico was a recent live-stranding adult male, according to Pusser. |
| Abundance |
Seemingly uncommon, though perhaps more numerous than other beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.) in the North Atlantic, all of which generally occur south of the range of Sowerby's, though with some overlap. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Though one would expect most NC occurrences to be in the colder months, there are many sightings from Norfolk Canyon, VA, down to the NC state line, in the summer months. Thus, it can occur potentially year-round. |
| Habitat |
Strongly favors cold waters |
| Behavior |
Occurs in small groups, up to 8-10 individuals, similar in behavior to other beaked whales. |
| Comments |
This is the first Mesoplodon species to be described, in 1804, based on a stranding in Scotland in 1800. As this is a cold water species, offshore observations in NC are nearly nil, as few boats go into the cold waters off Currituck and northern Dare counties in the winter and spring seasons. Though there are no known confirmed specimens or photos from NC waters, the "acoustic recordings are definitive confirmation for the presence of the species in state waters" (Pusser, pers. comm.), and thus this website considers it as Official for the NC List status. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
SUM |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G3 |
| Federal Status |
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