Kogia+breviceps


 * //Kogia Breviceps - Pygmy Sperm Whale//**

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class:Mammalia Order: Cetartiodactyla Family:Physeteridae

Year Assed: 2008 Reason: Global reduction of the species has risen to 30% in the last 36 years.

Habitat: Prefers deep, warmer waters. Lives off the coast of shores and is hard to find.

Physical Habitat: Can be found between 400 and 600 meters below surface, and due to the difficulty in finding the pygmy sperm whale, very little is known about its living conditions.

Migration: No known migration patterns

Population Estimate: Although very difficult to asses the amount of this particular whale, there are at least 8,635 found around the world.

Survival: The pygmy sperm whale population is decreasing, and has been for the pasty 36 years.

Appearance: The pygmy sperm whale is a grey-ish blue, and resembles a dolphin in shape. Can grow up to 3.5 meters at adult, and can weigh up to 400 kg.

Reproduction: Gestation is about 11 months, 1 calf, and it is unknown how long the calves are taken care of by their parents. Anatomy: -Two nostrils -Left is substantially bigger than the right -Melon shaped area above the skull (produces sound, echolocation) -Ears, but the holes are plugged with wax -10-16 pairs of long, sharp, curved teeth -Three Stomachs -Upper Jaw has no teeth -Asymmetrical blowhole that leans to the left -Well defined dorsal fins -Behind each eye is a dark patch resembling a fish gill -Food Chain: Favorite food is squid, but most other foods are unknown -Economic Importance: No economic importance, too rare to be of any commercial use -Threats: As with most fish/ marine mammals, plastic is a huge problem for the pygmy sperm whales. Pollution is a large problem, as well as noise pollution.

Conservation Efforts: Unknown

Solutions: In my opinion, a lot can be done to not only save the pygmy sperm whale, but all marine life in general. The biggest thing that can be done is to STOP PUTTING PLASTIC IN OUR OCEANS. Secondly, pollution is a large problem as well, for the entire earth. Reduction of that will be beneficial to everyone. Thirdly, by catch is an issue that effects all marine life. By reducing by catch, lots of life, including the pygmy sperm whale, can be preserved.

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