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Difference between revisions of "Sperm whale"
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[[File:Mother and baby sperm whale.jpg|400px|thumb|A mother sperm whale and her calf off the coast of Mauritius. ]] | [[File:Mother and baby sperm whale.jpg|400px|thumb|A mother sperm whale and her calf off the coast of Mauritius. ]] | ||
The '''sperm whale''' (''Physeter macrocephalus'') is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of genus ''Physeter'' and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus ''Kogia''. | The '''sperm whale''' (''Physeter macrocephalus'') is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator in the world. It is the only living member of genus ''Physeter'' and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus ''Kogia''. | ||
The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding. Females and young males live together in groups while mature males live solitary lives outside of the mating season. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. A mature sperm whale has few natural predators, although calves and weakened adults are sometimes killed by pods of [[orca]]s. | The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding. Females and young males live together in groups while mature males live solitary lives outside of the mating season. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. A mature sperm whale has few natural predators, although calves and weakened adults are sometimes killed by pods of [[orca]]s. | ||