Pygmy Sperm Whale

(Kogia breviceps)

The Pygmy Sperm Whale can grow to 11.5 feet long and weigh as much as 880 pounds. Group sizes range from 3 to 6 animals. They are often observed, if at all, bobbing quietly at the surface of the water. If startled while in this position, they may defecate, emitting a cloud of reddish-brown feces into the water. Beached pygmy sperm whales have also been observed to defecate a fine chocolate-like feces. Some photographs of this species show a light crescent at the exact place where a larger fish may have a gill slit. In this marine mammal, it is often referred to as a false gill. It is also characterized by an underslung lower jaw, located well behind the tip of the snout. These last two characteristics are similar to a shark’s appearance and are thought to be protection against actual sharks. Pygmy sperm whales eat squid, fish and krill. Pygmy sperm whales can be found mostly along the continental shelves near the coast.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (3) pygmy sperm whales.