Search results
The sperm whale or cachalot (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the genus Physeter and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia.
May 21, 2024 · sperm whale, (Physeter macrocephalus), the largest of the toothed whales, easily recognized by its enormous square head and narrow lower jaw. The sperm whale is dark blue-gray or brownish, with white patches on the belly.
Jan 30, 2023 · Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales and have one of the widest global distributions of any marine mammal species. They are found in all deep oceans, from the equator to the edge of the pack ice in the Arctic and Antarctic.
The sperm whale has the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth. Learn more about the animal made famous in Herman Melville's “Moby Dick.”
May 27, 2024 · Sperm whales belong to the class Mammalia, the order Cetacea, the family Physeteridae, and the genus Physeter. The scientific name for this cetacean is Physeter macrocephalus; the word Physeter is derived from a Greek word that means “blower,” which refers to the whale’s blowhole.
Jul 28, 2019 · Scientific Name: Physeter macrocephalus. Common Names: Sperm whale, cachalot. Basic Animal Group: Mammal. Size: 36-52 feet. Weight: 15-45 tons. Lifespan: 70 years. Diet: Carnivore. Habitat: Oceans worldwide. Population: Unknown. Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Description.
The name of the sperm whale comes from the waxy substance, called spermaceti, found in their head. Two large oil-filled compartments, known as the “spermaceti organ” and “junk” make up the majority of their head or “melon”.
Feb 28, 2024 · Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus): the largest of the toothed whales. Kingdom: | Animalia. Phylum: | Chordata. Class: | Mammalia. Order: | Artiodactyla. Family: | Physeteridae.
Oct 11, 2020 · The sperm whale, also known as cachalot (Physeter macrocephalus) is a large predatory whale present in most of the world's oceans. As the inspiration for the famous novel Moby Dick, the whale's large and uniquely block-shaped head will be familiar to most.
Feb 10, 2022 · How did sperm whales get their name? Sperm whales get their name from a unique organ in their heads called spermaceti. When seamen first opened a sperm whale’s noggin, they thought the oily substance was, well, semen. The actual purpose of spermaceti still alludes scientists.
