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The Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia simus)

Fun Facts

• They are often confused with the Pygmy Sperm Whale. The Dwarf Sperm Whale has a more square-shaped head, a larger dorsal fin, and it moves much slower than the Pygmy Sperm Whale.
• They are also known as the Owen’s Pygmy Sperm Whale.
• They have a dark-bluish color that fades to off-white on their belly.
• They can reach lengths of up to 9 feet.
• They can weigh up to 500 pounds.
• They have 12-16 pairs of sharp, curved teeth.
• They hunt by stealth since they are slow moving.

Distribution

They habit the east and West Coast of North America as well as Peru , England , Holland , France , tip of South Africa , East Africa , Arabia , India , Sri Lanka , Southeast Australia , and Tasman Sea , New Zealand. They live in tropical to subtropical deep waters (equatorial waters).

Food

They eat small fish, cuttlefish, deep-sea shrimps, and squid.

Social Structure

Pods contain less than ten animals, mainly females with calves and sexually immature males.