Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 71

sperm whale

A toothed whale, widespread in tropical and temperate seas; eats mainly squid; bulbous head contains spermaceti organ; three species: sperm whale or cachalot (Physeter catodon), the largest toothed mammal (length up to 20 m/65 ft), grey-black, head up to one-third length of body; pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), length 3·4 m/11 ft, and dwarf sperm whale (Kogia simus), length 2·5 m/8 ft, both with head one-sixth length of body. (Family: Physeteridae.)

iSperm Whale

Scarred Giant — Artist: Chris Harman
Size comparison against an average human
Conservation status
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