Sperm Whale.

Sperm Whale. Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Suborder Odontoceti Genus Physeter Species catodon Names male: bull female: cow young: calf group: school Conservation Populations are at risk due to past hunting and accidental entrapment in fishing nets. Concerns Range All oceans, though only males travel to polar regions. Sperm whales prefer waters with high squid populations, such as those along the equator. Size Males weigh nearly 55 metric tons and grow up to 18 m (59 ft) long. Females weigh up to 16,700 kg (36,750 lb) and grow to about 12 m (39 ft) long. Feeding Habits Sperm whales are carnivores; they mainly eat squid and cuttlefish. A male can consume as much as 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of food daily. Offspring The female sperm whale gives birth to one calf every five to seven years after a gestation period of about 16 months. The calf nurses for about two years. Life Span Estimated at 60 to 70 years. Did You Know Sperm whales can dive to depths of 1,000 to 2,000 m (3,300 to 6,600 ft). Sperm whales have the largest brains of any mammals. Sperm whales have a spermaceti organ thought to aid in diving and in echolocation. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.