description Dwarf Sperm Whale Overview
The dwarf sperm whale is a small toothed whale in the family Kogiidae and one of the two living species in that family. It has a compact body, a blunt head, and a lower jaw that is relatively small compared with the rest of the skull. The species lives in tropical and temperate offshore waters and is rarely seen because it spends much of its time at sea.
help Dwarf Sperm Whale FAQ
What is the scientific name of the dwarf sperm whale?
Its scientific name is Kogia sima, and it belongs to the toothed-whale family Kogiidae. The other living species in that family is the pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/dwarf-sperm-whale)
How big does a dwarf sperm whale get?
NOAA lists adults as weighing about 300 to 600 pounds and reaching up to about 9 feet in length. That compact size makes it much smaller than the familiar large sperm whale. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/dwarf-sperm-whale)
What does the dwarf sperm whale eat?
Its diet includes squid, octopuses, crustaceans, and fish. It can dive at least 1,000 feet while using echolocation to locate prey in deep water. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/dwarf-sperm-whale)
Why does the dwarf sperm whale release dark fluid?
It has an unusual ink-like defense and can release more than 3 gallons of dark reddish-brown fluid from an intestinal sac. The cloud can distract predators while the whale escapes. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/dwarf-sperm-whale)
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