Dwarf Sperm Whale

Kogia sima

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Family: Kogiidae
Genus: Kogia
Species: Kogia sima

The dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) is one of the smallest whales, reaching only about 2.7 m. It closely resembles the pygmy sperm whale but has a taller, more dolphin-like dorsal fin placed near the middle of the back.

It lives over continental slopes and deep water, feeding on squid, octopus and deep-sea fish. Like its relative, it often rests motionless at the surface and avoids boats, and it can release a dark fluid when alarmed.

In the Philippines dwarf sperm whales are recorded from strandings and occasional sightings, and are thought to be fairly widespread in deep waters around the archipelago. Calm seas give the best chance of seeing one logging at the surface.

Photo: Alina Martin, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist