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Family Physeteridae - sperm whales
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Order
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Class
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Mammalia
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No. of Genera in Ref.
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No. of Species in Ref.
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Environment
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Fresh : No |
Brackish : No |
Marine : Yes
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Aquarium
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First Fossil Record
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Remark
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A single species in the family, Physeter macrocephalus. Body length ranges from 3.5 (new born) to 12 (females and 18 m (males). Head large, square-shaped; skin rippled. No dorsal fin, but a series of humps. Each side of lower jaw with 19 to 22 teeth which fit into holes in upper jaw; upper jaw with highly curved, vestigal teeth. Body black, with white areas around mouth and genital area. Parallel throat grooves present just behind base of lower jaw. Flukes frequently visible above water. The spout is highly diagnostic, directed forward (45 degrees). Cosmopolitan in distribution, found mainly over deep water; males range into temperate and arctic of both northern and southern hemispheres (Ref. 68590).
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Etymology
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Division
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Reproductive guild
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Typical activity level
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Main Ref.
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Coordinator
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