Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)

Dwarf sperm whale


Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Data Deficient (DD) external link Showing: scientific names

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Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)

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Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)
Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)

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Classification:

General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
Indexed
April 08, 2010

The dwarf sperm whale is similar to the pygmy sperm whale, but is smaller and has a larger, taller dorsal fin, higher on its back, that looks like the dorsal fin of a bottlenose dolphin.  Dwarf sperm whales live in small social groups. There are groups of females with calves; groups of males and females without calves; and groups of young whales who are not yet sexually mature. A form of defensive behavior called “inking” has been seen in both species of Kogia. To escape danger, the whale excretes a cloud of reddish-brown feces and then dives out of sight. Most other information has come from dissecting individuals who stranded and died. Squid, fish, crustaceans - and plastic bags - have been found in their stomachs.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
References
  • Owen, R., 1866.  On some Indian cetacea collected by Walter Elliot, Esq. Trans. Zool. Soc., 6:30.  London, 6:17-47.
"Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328549". Accessed 30 Jul 2010.