Dwarf sperm whales are the smallest animals known as whales and are little understood. It wasn't until the 1960s that dwarves and pygmies were regarded as separate species and they are very seldom seen alive. Most of what we know about them has come from stranded individuals. They grow to just 2.7 metres, which is still big, but tiny compared with its relative the cachelot. They tend to be solitary, though pods have been documented, and when they are at the surface they tend not to move much but simply float, making it very difficult to spot them in anything other than perfectly calm water. They have very sharp teeth in the lower jaw (between 14 - 24) but, like the cachelot, usually have no visible teeth upstairs, though specimens have been found with up to 6 upper teeth. Their heads contain a mysterious spermaceti organ like their relatives, and they also have a special gland full of a strange dark red liquid with is expelled when they are under attack, a bit like an squid releasing ink. There is some rare footage of these animals int he Sea of Cortez here, recorded by some very excitable Americans.
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