Kogia sima, Dwarf Sperm Whale [+]

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Family Kogiidae Genus Kogia species: Kogia sima [+ITIS +WoRMS]

← Previous Photo | Next Photo →

Description & Behavior

The dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima (Owen, 1866), is a rare cetacean with a porpoise-like body that measures between 2.1-2.7 m. The blowhole of this whale is found left of the melon and the skull is asymmetrical. Dwarf sperm whales are gray in color with a white ventral side, some with pink or purple blotches. The pectoral fin measures 40 cm high; the tail flukes measure 61 cm. The head measures about 1/6 the length of the body and the facial portion of the skull is the shortest of all cetaceans. Dwarf sperm whales have a mark on either side of the head known as a "false gill" because of its resemblance to the gill slits of fish (which it shares with the closely-related pygmy sperm whale). The dwarf sperm whale has large curved sharp teeth in the lower jaw. Small non-functional teeth may be present in the upper jaw.

Dwarf sperm whales are a gregarious species often found in mixed-sex groups 10 or fewer. They are sluggish animals occasionally seen floating in the water near the shore.

World Range & Habitat

The dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima, is often found in coastal waters near the surface, however they are known to be deep divers.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Tips] | Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution) [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)

The dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima, likely feeds near the ocean bottom such as deep sea cephalopods, fish, and crustaceans.

Life History

Little is known about the reproductive cycle of the dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima. Males and females sexually mature when they reach lengths of 2.1-2.2 m. Gestation is thought to last about 9 months followed by a calving season of 4-5 months. Females are thought to give birth to one calf measuring about 1 m long at birth.

Conservation Status/Additional Comments

The rarity of the dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima, excludes it from threats due to commercial hunting, however, some scientists theorize that their scarcity may be due to extensive hunting in the past.