Cetaceans - Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus)
Male sperm whales grow to about 60 feet (18.3 meters) while female sperm whales grow to approximately 43 feet (13.1 meters) long. Male and female sperm whales have huge, squarish foreheads, small inconspicuous eyes, and a long narrow lower jaw. Sperm whales have one blowhole located at the left of the forehead. Their blows are projected forward at an angle, which is very different from other whales. Their light-brown to blue-gray skin is rippled over much of the body, especially on the back and sides.
Unless indicated otherwise Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) photos and videos are in the public domain and cannot be copyrighted. Credit should be given to (photographer's name if available), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Service. For use of images other than those of the AFSC, please contact the image source as credited on the image detail page. Thank you.
