Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Physeteridae Scientific Name : Physeter Macrocephalus Size(L) : 6cm - 20.5cm (19.7ft - 67ft) Water Type : Salt Optimum pH Level : 6 - 9 Life Span : 50 - 70 years Colour : Grey, Blue, Black, White Skin Type : Smooth Distinctive Features : Cone-shaped teeth and enormous body size
- Sperm Whales are a large species of whales that are found in the oceans worldwide.
- They grow to an average size of around 70ft!
- They have large cone-shaped teeth which are around 50 in number, with each tooth weighing about 1kg.
- They were known as common cachalot, for the liquid waxy substance found in their head.
- This liquid substance is used by humans in cosmetics, candles and soaps.
- Consequent, extensive whaling of the sperm whales has made them a species that is vulnerable from extinction.
- They are found along the continental shelves in deep ocean.
- They are known to be one of the deepest diving animals known to dive to depths of 500m-3km!
- They are believed to be able to stay submerged in water for around 90 minutes or more at a time
- They are one of the most dominant predators in their environment and therefore have no natural predators.
- They are carnivores, feeding on squids, octopus and large fish.
- The sperm whale calves, however, are preyed upon by large sharks and killer whales.
- The female sperm whale gives birth to a single calf after a year-long gestation.
- The calves feed on their mother’s milk for a few months, after which they independently hunt for themselves.
- On an average the sperm whales are known to live for around 70 years.
- Humans have extensively hunted them and they are the sperm whales biggest threat today.