Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 2,069
- Most observed in
- 🇵🇹 Portugal
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
Description
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 superfamily Physeteroidea, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Sperm whale”.