Family: Physeteridae, Sperm Whales view all from this family
Description To 69' (21 m). Head huge, one-quarter to one-third length; dark brownish gray, skin appears corrugated or shriveled; sometimes belly and front of head grayish and mouth area white. Snout blunt, squarish, projects far beyond lower jaw tip. Single blowhole well to left of midline and far forward on head; small bushy "spout" emerges forward at sharp angle. Row of large teeth on each side of lower jaw, small teeth buried in upper jaw. Distinct dorsal hump two-thirds of way back from snout tip, followed by series of crenulations or bumps. Ventral keel present. Flukes broad, triangular, not concave, deeply notched on rear edges.
Endangered Status The Sperm Whale is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in North Carolina. Like so many whale species, this giant owes its endangered status to hunting. It was especially prized for two substances, spermaceti, a wax that was used in cosmetics and other products, and ambergris, a wax-like material found in the digestive tract (probably produced during the digestion of squid) that was used in perfume manufacturing. The Sperm Whale seems to have recovered somewhat from its earlier depletion and is thought to be the most abundant of the great whales.
Similar Species Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) has obvious mottling.
Habitat Mostly in temperate and tropical oceans; rarely at depths less than 100 fathoms and along edge of continental shelf.
Range In Atlantic from David Straits to Venezuela, including Gulf of Mexico. In Pacific from Bering Sea to equator.
Discussion This species can be identified by its distinctive spout. It feeds primarily on squids (including giant species), but may also eat a variety of fishes. The scientific name P. catodon has often been changed to P. macrocephalus in recent literature. These whales, also called Cachalot, were hunted extensively; the forehead contains spermaceti and a fine grade of oil, and the teeth were favored material for scrimshaw, the ivory objects carved by sailors and artisans. It was the search for an albino Sperm Whale that inspired the novel Moby Dick, but today individuals of over 50' (15.2 m) are rare. These whales produce offspring about every 4 years, after a gestation period of about 16 months. Like all other cetaceans, they are usually born tail first; this prevents the calf from drowning during birth.
