Pygmy sperm whales have a shark-like head with a narrow underslung lower jaw. Physeter is Greek for “blower,” an allusion to the sperm whale’s breathing. K species being sometimes hard to distinguish). Kogia breviceps species guide - the pygmy sperm whale was only identified in 1966 and is only rarely encountered. Pygmy and Dwarf Sperm Whales Only Members of Family Kogiidae Dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) are the only two members of the Family Kogiidae.It is often reported that the two species are difficult to tell apart in the field, but there are a number of characteristics that allow us to discriminate between the two species. These little-known dolphinlike whales are gray above and white below, and they are quite small—about 2.5 to 4 metres (8 to 13 feet) long. The gorgeous pygmy sperm whales have only been recognized as a species since 1966. The gorgeous pygmy sperm whales have only been recognized as a species since 1966. The pygmy and dwarf sperm whales were determined as two separate species in 1966, by a scientist at the Smithsonian Institution (Washington D.C.). To throw potential attackers off guard, they eject a reddish-brown cloud of intestinal fluid in the water before diving and making their escape. The small falcate dorsal fin (< 5% of the body length) is usually set well behind the midpoint of the back. The percentage used is the ratio of positively identified gmy sperm py whales to the total of positively identified pygmy sperm whales and positively identified dwarf sperm whales; the CV Dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) (pictured above) and pygmy sperm whales (kogia breviceps) are the only two species that belong to the Dogiidae family (also known as small sperm whales). Pygmy sperm whales also have a slight hump on the back while the dwarf is flat on the back. The pygmy has a hooked dorsal fin, while the dwarf’s are triangle shaped. This species prefers warmer, deeper waters in … Here, fecal samples from stranded pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (K. sima) sperm whales were used to characterize the gut microbiomes of two closely-related species with similar diets. The flippers are set high on the sides near the head. In sperm whale. (de Blainville, 1838) - Pygmy sperm whale Distinctive Characteristics Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales are very difficult to detect, except in extremely calm seas. (the two . Like dwarf sperm whales, pygmy sperm whales have an unusual trick. estimates of pygmy sperm whales include a percentage of the estimate of animals identified as ogia sp. The dwarf sperm whales is the smallest species classified as a whale, even smaller than some dolphin species. The pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia breviceps and K. simus) are the only other members of the family Physeteridae.These little-known dolphinlike whales are gray above and white below, and they are quite small—about 2.5 to 4 metres (8 to 13 feet) long. Species Fact: Similar to squids, pygmy sperm whales use an ink-like liquid to evade and deter predators. Dwarf sperm whales have a more pointed snout than the pygmy and when seeing them in the water the dwarf sits lower on the surface then the pygmy. To throw potential attackers off guard, they eject a reddish-brown cloud of intestinal fluid in the water before diving and making their escape. Like dwarf sperm whales, pygmy sperm whales have an unusual trick. Dwarf sperm whales stand out of other cetaceans due to the use of the "squid tactic": this is when a threatened animal ejects liquid. The pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia breviceps and K. simus) are the only other members of the family Physeteridae.