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Sperm Whale

Whales, Dolphins & Dugong

Photo: (c) Fred Derks, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY

Physeter macrocephalus

Basic stats

Diet

Squid, taken on deep dives

Habitat

Open ocean; worldwide

Size

Largest of the toothed whales

The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator, a pelagic species with a worldwide range that migrates seasonally for feeding and breeding. It has the largest brain on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human's, and the longest intestinal system in the world, exceeding 300 m in large animals. Sperm whales can live 70 years or more (Wikipedia, general species account).

Females and young males live together in groups and the females cooperate to protect and nurse the young, while mature bulls live alone outside the mating season. The head holds a waxy substance, spermaceti, which gave the whale its name. It hunts squid on deep dives, using echolocation clicks to search for prey.

Quick answers

What does the Sperm Whale eat?
Squid, taken on deep dives
What habitat does the Sperm Whale live in?
Open ocean; worldwide
How big is the Sperm Whale?
Largest of the toothed whales
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