Pictures and facts about the Sperm whale

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Sperm whale

Order : Cetacea
Suborder : Odontoceti
Family : Physeteridae
Species : Physeter catodon

The Sperm whale (Physeter catodon) is believed to be the largest toothed animal living today on earth. It has gotten its name because scientists thought they found a milky white substance in its head and they mistakenly thought it was sperm, although actually it was a kind of whale oil. A male sperm whale's head is about one-third of its total length. The part of its scientific name "macrocephalus" means "long head". The brain of this magnificent animal is the largest ever recorded: 7 kg! The tail (see picture) is triangular in shape and lifted very high when going for a deep dive...

Some world records of the Sperm Whale:

1. Largest known toothed creature ever.
2. Deepest dive by a mammal (sperm whales have been found in depths of 2,200 (7,200 feet) meters, tangled in telegraph cables).
3. Largest brain of any living creature on Earth. The brain of a mature sperm whale weighs 7 kg (15 pound), though there have been specimens with 9 kg (20 pound) brains.
4. Thickest skin. On back and head, sperm whale's skin (not including subcutaneous fat) is sometimes up to 35 centimeters (14 inches) thick.

   (source Wikipedia)

Facts about the sperm whale

Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales are probably not rare, but are not common sightings, because of their offshore distribution and small group sizes.

Sperm Whales are now common whale-watching attractions, especially in the waters around New Zealand.

The great Sperm Whale is the largest of the toothed whales.

The Pygmy Sperm Whale is widely distributed in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate seas.

The sperm whale is a large whale

The Sperm Whale is found in all oceans of the world, and, although well-known in the Mediterranean, rarely enters semi-enclosed or shallow seas.

The sperm whale is the largest of all toothed whales.

We now know that Sperm whales are not dangerous to people.

id=190 "The gullet of Physeter catodon is the largest among cetaceans; it is in fact the only gullet large enough to swallow a human. (Full text)

The sperm whale, Physeter catodon, is, undeniably, one of the most remarkable animals alive. (Full text)

The gullet of Physeter catodon is the largest among cetaceans; it is in fact the only gullet large enough to swallow a human. (Full text)

The team's research has conclusively established that sperm whales are indeed the loudest creatures on Earth. (Full text)

Sperm whales are very difficult to study because they spend most of their time in open water, away from coastlines. (Full text)

" The sperm whale, Physeter catodon, is the largest-toothed animal alive today. (Full text)

While larger whales, like the Blue, may filter small animals out of the water and consume them, the sperm whale is the largest animal that hunts and eats using its teeth. (Full text)

Sperm whales are among the deepest diving cetaceans, and are found in all oceans of the world. (Full text)

The sperm whale is the largest odontocete, or toothed whale. (Full text)

PrintoutSperm Whale Connect-the-Dots GENERAL DESCRIPTION The sperm whale is a toothed whale that lives in pods. (Full text)

SIZE Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales. (Full text)

Sperm whales are the holders of many impressive world records: (Full text)

Question 4: A Physeter catodon is more commonly known as a _________. (Full text)

3 July 2002 A very badly decomposed and smelly Sperm Whale, Physeter catodon, is washed (Full text)

The Whale-Watching Web: IFAW/Sperm Whales are animals of superlatives (Full text)

The UnMuseum - The Sperm Whale The sperm whale, Physeter catodon, is the largest-toothed animal alive today. (Full text)

Introduction Kogia breviceps (or pygmy sperm whale) is one of the three known odontocete whales or toothed whales. (Full text)

Also known as The Cachalot, the Great Sperm Whale is grouped with other toothed whales. (Full text)