Galapagos Sperm Whale

Name: Galapagos Sperm Whale
Family: Kogidae & Physteridae
Scientific Name: Balaenoptera borealis
Length: Full maturity can reach 18 meters (60 feet)
Weight: up to 45 tons

Adult Length: 12-16 m (39 - 52 ft)
Blow: Tall, thin and vertical less robust than Fin Whale
Breaching: Seldom, generally rising at a low angle
Deep dive: Does not raise tail flukes
Group size: 1-2, sometimes more when feeding

Category: Sperm Whales

Three species or Sperm whales have been recorded in Galapagos. Although the sperm whales include two families and the largest and smallest species of toothed whale, their basic body plans are very similar. They have a characteristic large blunt head, low underslung jaw, and a blowhole positioned to the left of the centre of the head. Sperm whales are deep divers, capable of staying below for considerable periods of time as they hunt for squid and fish.

Rare offshore.

Identification:
Very similar to Bryde's Whale both in size and appearance, but the single ridge on top of the head distinguishes it at close range. Differs from Minke Whale in Size and presence of tall, visible blow, and from Fin and Blue Whales by surfacing sequence and taller, more sickle-shaped fin. On surfacing, dorsal fin breaks the surface at the same time as the blowhole.