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The sperm whale or cachalot [a] (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator.It is the only living member of the 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 animal's exact dimensions are never given, but the novel claims that the largest sperm whales can reach a length of 90 ft (27 m) [2] (larger than any officially recorded sperm whale) [3] and that Moby Dick is possibly the largest sperm whale that ever lived.
Male sperm whales are sexually mature at 11 to 12 meters (36 to 39 ft), and physically mature at about 15 to 16 meters (49 to 52 ft) in length, on average. Larger-than-average females have been generally recorded around 12 to 13 meters (39 to 43 ft), and larger-than-average males are usually stated to reach a maximum of about 18 to 19 meters ...
Spermaceti is taken from the spermaceti organ (yellow) and junk (orange) within the sperm whale's head. Raw spermaceti is liquid within the head of the sperm whale, and is said to have a smell similar to raw milk. [8] It is composed mostly of wax esters (chiefly cetyl palmitate) and a smaller proportion of triglycerides. [9]
Another common characteristic is the spermaceti, a semiliquid waxy white substance filling the 'case' or spermaceti organ in the whale's head, which plays a primary role in the production and directional manipulation of focused clicking sounds used for echolocation in the extant great sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). [2]
Articles relating to the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus, cachalot) and its closest relatives. It is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the 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 ...
The whale had washed up in the swash zone, the part of the beach where the surf breaks. Rescuers made the call that it was unsafe to try to help the animal and waited until low tide to determine a ...
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