Sperm Whales

  • Sperm Whales are large marine mammals.National Geographic: Sperm Whale There are three species of sperm whales: the giant sperm whale, the pygmy sperm whale and the dwarf sperm whale.Animal Diversity Web: Sperm Whales

  • Physical Description

    The giant sperm whale (physeter) has a rounded forehead, large head, large teeth and an undershot, long lower jaw.Animal Diversity Web: Sperm Whales The kogia whales, (pygmy and dwarf) have a much smaller head, with a short undershot lower jaw.Animal Diversity Web: Sperm Whales Sperm whales have a distinctive blowhole located on the left side of their head. In general, males are significantly larger than females.NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources: Sperm Whale

  • Spermaceti Organ

    The spermaceti organ, which in the giant sperm whale can comprise up to 25 percent of the whale's body mass, is filled with an oily fluid. This fluid appears white and thick when exposed to air, having an appearance similar to semen. Some believe the oil is used as an acoustic aid for foraging and navigation purposes.SeaWorld.org: Animal Bytes - Sperm Whale Many researchers believe that changes in the density of the oil affects the whale's buoyancy during dives. UWRF.edu: Whale Physiology

  • Distribution

    Sperm whales are found in waters all over the world. They are seen in North Atlantic and Western North Pacific waters and water between Australia and New Zealand, however they are generally not found in the Arctic Ocean..SeaWorld.org: Animal Bytes - Sperm Whale Animal Diversity Web: Sperm Whales

    Female sperm whales and their young travel in groups of 15 to 20 called pods. Males tend to be more solitary, and may move from group to group.

    Sperm whales travel to the equator for breeding purposes and after breeding relocate towards higher latitudes.National Geographic: Sperm Whale

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