General Description

Body pattern brown-grey to black above and pale underneath. Head square, about one third the length of the body. Up to 3.8 m long.

Biology

These whales are similar in appearance to the larger Sperm Whale and bare the same characteristically-shaped squared head. They weigh up to 450 kg, growing from 50 kg when first born.

Habitat

Deep water areas of temperate and tropical waters, to depth of 1400 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Potentially near Port Phillip, recorded from Victoria.

Species Group

Mammals › Whales and dolphins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

3.8 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• CITES : Trade restrictions (Appendix II)
• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Data Deficient