The Dwarf Sperm Whale

Sierra Handbook of Whales and Dolphins

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The Dwarf Sperm Whale, or Kogia simus, has many distinctive features. They have three pairs of maxillary teeth. The Dwarf Sperm Whale has several irregular gular grooves. They are confined to temperate and tropical latitudes. Their average length is approximately 2.1 to 2.7 meters. They weigh an average of 136 to 272 kilograms. They have slender teeth in the lower jaw and up to three pairs of small teeth in the upper jaw. This species has seven to twelve pairs of mandibular teeth. They may appear to be wrinkled when first glanced upon. These animals do not socialize in groups of more than 10 animals. There are three kinds of pods: one consisting of immatures, one of females with calves, and another of adults of both sexes unaccompanied by calves. Both males and females reach sexual maturity at a length of 2.1 to 2.2 meters. The calving season covers at least five to six months. Researchers have the reason to believe that there is annual reproduction. They enjoy eating sqiud, fish and crustaceans. The species can dive to depths of at least 300 meters.

Andrea-Vanessa-Erica @ the Advanced Technologies Academy