Marine Mammals Information Database :Illustrated Guide of Marine Mammals

Dwarf sperm whale

Scientific Name : Kogia sima / Japanese Name : ogawakomakkou

Dwarf sperm whale

Details

Order Cetartiodactyla
Suborder Odontoceti
Family Kogiidae
Genus Kogia
Species sima
Subspecies -
Subtype -
CITES Appendix II IUCN RedData Status Data Deficient
Baleen plates or tooth-Upper jaw - Baleen plates or tooth-Lower jaw 8-11
At birth At weaning Adult Adult male Adult female
Body length 3.5ft - 7-9ft - -
Body weight 46kg - 140-280kg - -
Feature and Habit
The dwarf sperm whale is similar to the pygmy sperm whale in appearance, but has a smaller body size and a higher dorsal fin which set closer to the center. They have several grooves in the throat. Some individuals sometimes have 1 to 3 pairs of teeth in the upper jaws. In general, they have no tooth in the upper jaws, and 8-11 teeth in each lower jaw. They inhabit in offshore waters. They are single or in pods of several whales.
Description
Reference:
Stranding Record(s) in Japan
Map

Marine Mammals Skull Database

A click on the skull thumb nail will bring you to detailed images.


Sex M Reproductive Condition mature
Body length 247 Locality Taiji, Wakayama Pre.
Museum No. - Other No. -

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