Pygmy Sperm Whales

Its underslung lower jaw gives the pygmy sperm whale an almost sharklike appearance, belied by its blunt, square head.
Unlike its large relative with its disproportionately huge head, the pygmy sperm whale's head accounts for only about 15 percent of its total length.

There are 12 or more pairs of teeth in the lower jaw, the short, broad flippers are located far forward, near the head, and there is a small dorsal fin, behind which the body tapers off markedly.

Pygmy sperm whales are thought to be shy, slow-moving animals.
They feed on squid, fish and crabs from both deep and shallow water so may be less of an exclusively deepwater species than the sperm whale.

Pygmy sperm whales have often been sighted alone, but evidence suggests that they form social units of 3 to 5 individuals.
Little is known of the reproductive habits of pygmy sperm whales.
Gestation is believed to last about 9 months; calves are born in the spring and fed by the mother for about a year.

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