pygmy sperm whale

The pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) is a toothed whale found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. It is bluish-gray to black on its upper side with lighter underparts and has a distinctive crescent-shaped light marking between its eye and flipper. These whales typically reach lengths of up to 12.5 feet (3.7 meters), though they are often shorter.1

Pygmy sperm whales are part of the family Physeteridae, which also includes the dwarf sperm whale. These smaller whales are distinct from the much larger sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is the largest of the toothed whales and is recognized by its massive square head. While the exact behavior and communication methods of pygmy sperm whales are less understood, all cetaceans, including toothed whales, produce sounds for communication and echolocation using their larynx and specialized structures in their nasal passages.23