Pygmy sperm whale
Kogia breviceps
biology
The Pygmy sperm whale is slightly larger than its relative, the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima). At birth, they measure about 1.2 m and weigh approximately 50 kg. Adults typically grow to between 2.7 m and 3.4 m, with weights ranging from 315 to 400 kg. Their narrow lower jaw contains 12 to 16 pairs of long, very sharp teeth, while the upper jaw only has vestigial, non-functional teeth. Their lifespan is known to be at least 23 years.
These animals have a robust, unusual body shape that somewhat resembles a miniature shark. The head is conical/square with a recessed lower jaw. A pale, crescent-shaped "false gill" mark is always present behind each eye. They are counter-shaded, with a dark brownish-grey or bluish-grey back and a white, often pinkish belly. The dorsal fin is notably small (less than 5% of the total body length), falcate, and positioned behind the midpoint of the back.
Deep-water specialists, they feed primarily on cephalopods (squid and octopus) and occasionally fish. Like the Dwarf sperm whale, they possess a unique defense mechanism: a "sac" in the intestine containing up to 12 litres of dark reddish-brown fluid ("ink"), which they release when startled to create a dense cloud and escape unseen. They are notoriously difficult to detect, as they produce an inconspicuous blow and often spend time "logging" (lying motionless) at the surface with their tails hanging down, sometimes sinking out of sight without a trace.
These animals have a robust, unusual body shape that somewhat resembles a miniature shark. The head is conical/square with a recessed lower jaw. A pale, crescent-shaped "false gill" mark is always present behind each eye. They are counter-shaded, with a dark brownish-grey or bluish-grey back and a white, often pinkish belly. The dorsal fin is notably small (less than 5% of the total body length), falcate, and positioned behind the midpoint of the back.
Deep-water specialists, they feed primarily on cephalopods (squid and octopus) and occasionally fish. Like the Dwarf sperm whale, they possess a unique defense mechanism: a "sac" in the intestine containing up to 12 litres of dark reddish-brown fluid ("ink"), which they release when startled to create a dense cloud and escape unseen. They are notoriously difficult to detect, as they produce an inconspicuous blow and often spend time "logging" (lying motionless) at the surface with their tails hanging down, sometimes sinking out of sight without a trace.
observation
Pygmy sperm whales inhabit deep oceanic waters in tropical and warm temperate zones of all oceans. They appear to prefer slightly more temperate waters than the Dwarf sperm whale.
Identification Challenges: Distinguishing the two Kogia species at sea is famously difficult. The Pygmy sperm whale grows to a greater total length and possesses a significantly smaller, more rounded dorsal fin set further back on the body. Crucially, the distance from the snout to the blowhole in this species is greater than 1/10 of the total body length (whereas in the Dwarf sperm whale, it is less than 1/10).
In the Azores, sightings are rare and elusive. Typically, the Espaço Talassa team records one or two sightings per season, almost exclusively on days with exceptionally flat, calm seas. While they have been spotted from May to October, the majority of sightings occur in July and August.
Identification Challenges: Distinguishing the two Kogia species at sea is famously difficult. The Pygmy sperm whale grows to a greater total length and possesses a significantly smaller, more rounded dorsal fin set further back on the body. Crucially, the distance from the snout to the blowhole in this species is greater than 1/10 of the total body length (whereas in the Dwarf sperm whale, it is less than 1/10).
In the Azores, sightings are rare and elusive. Typically, the Espaço Talassa team records one or two sightings per season, almost exclusively on days with exceptionally flat, calm seas. While they have been spotted from May to October, the majority of sightings occur in July and August.
names
PT: Cachalote-pigmeu
ENG: Pygmy sperm whale
FR: Cachalot pygmée
DE: Zwergpottwal
IT: Cogia di De Blainville
ESP: Cachalote pigmeo
NL: Dwergpotvis
ENG: Pygmy sperm whale
FR: Cachalot pygmée
DE: Zwergpottwal
IT: Cogia di De Blainville
ESP: Cachalote pigmeo
NL: Dwergpotvis
Scientific name
Kogia breviceps
Discovery
De Blainville, 1838