Physeteridae Archives - NatureWorks

Physeteridae - Sperm Whales

There is one species of toothed whales in this family, the sperm whale. Sperm whales are found in all of the world’s oceans, except for the Arctic.

Sperm whales get their name from the spermaceti organ in their heads. The spermaceti organ produces an oil that used to be valuable to whale hunters. The oil was used to make candles. Scientists don’t know how sperm whales use the spermaceti organ.

The sperm whale is 30-60 feet in length. It has a huge, square head that can be up to 20 feet long.

It has a single blowhole and small flippers. It doesn’t have a dorsal fin, but it has a hump on its back.

Sperm Whale (mother with calf)
(Physeter macrocephalus)

The sperm whale is found in deep waters in oceans around the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Sperm Whale
(Physeter macrocephalus)

The sperm whale can swim to depths of two miles, and can stay underwater for up to 90 minutes. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
Sperm Whale
(Physeter macrocephalus)

Sperm whales have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable

Did You Know?

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Physeteridae

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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