Sperm whale

Zoogdierenpagina klik hier >>>

Physeter catodon 

     The sperm whale, or cachalot, is one of the cetaceans, a group of marine mammals whose ancestors were probably land animals. 
     Large males attain a length of 20 m and weigh as much as 50 tons. They range across most of the world’s oceans, but they are most usually found in those latitudes inhabited by the giant squid which is their favourite source of prey. The whale sometimes descends to depths of 900 m in search of these creatures who themselves measure over 9 m from tip to tip of their tentacles. 
     In addition to squid, these huge animals also take seals, rays, and sometimes sharks up to 3.5 m long. 
     Sperm whales have no teeth in their upper jaw, but 60 in the lower jaw; these are about 20 cm long, weighing up to 2 or 3 kg each. The sperm whale’s enemies are humans and killer whales. Approximately 700,000 sperm whales are thought to exist.