🐾

sperm whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Vulnerable ?

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

70 years

Length

16.0 m

Weight

45.0 t

Population

300.0K

Trend

? Unknown

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About

The largest toothed predator on Earth, sperm whales reach up to 20 meters and dive deeper than 2,000 meters for up to 90 minutes in pursuit of giant squid. Their massive square heads contain the spermaceti organ, which focuses powerful echolocation clicks used for communication and prey detection. Found in all deep oceans, sperm whales were heavily hunted for spermaceti oil in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Fun Facts

✨ They can dive to depths of over 2,000 meters.
✨ Sperm whales produce ambergris, once worth more than gold.
✨ They sleep vertically.

Habitat & Distribution

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

🌊 Marine Oceanic 🧊 Marine Deep Ocean Floor

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Diet & Behavior

🥩

Carnivore

sperm whale is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore

Animal matter 100%

Conservation Status

VU Vulnerable

Estimated Population

300.0K

Population Trend

? Unknown

Full Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia (Tier)

Phylum

Chordata (Chordatiere)

Class

Mammalia (Säugetiere)

Order

Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)

Family

Physeteridae (Sperm Whales)

Genus

Physeter (Sperm Whales)

Species

Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whale)

Names in Other Languages

Chinese 抹香鯨

Spanish Ballena Esperma

French Cachalot

Portuguese Cachalote

Arabic عنبر (anbar)

Turkish Kaşalot

Explore More

Marine Deep Ocean Floor

Habitat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of sperm whale?

The scientific name of sperm whale is Physeter macrocephalus. It belongs to the genus Physeter.

What is the conservation status of sperm whale?

sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is unknown.

Where does sperm whale live?

sperm whale is found in Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.. Countries include Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Venezuela.

What family does sperm whale belong to?

sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) belongs to the genus Physeter, which is part of the taxonomic family Physeteridae.

What does sperm whale eat?

sperm whale is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does sperm whale live?

sperm whale has an average lifespan of approximately 70 years in the wild.

How many sperm whale are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is approximately 300,000 individuals.

Is sperm whale endangered?

Yes, sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.