Quick Take
- Surviving at 3,000 feet requires a biological defense that relies on foul, pigmented secretions.
- Dark, inky clouds provide superior evasion, which makes up for the pygmy sperm whale’s small size in deep-sea habitats.
- Researchers discovered that the black “ink” is actually composed of bodily fluids, sometimes including fecal matter.
In deep, tropical offshore waters, there exists a whale that’s roughly the size of a dolphin. Sightings of it are extremely rare, and few people have captured it on film. Despite its small size, it has an incredible defense mechanism that’s eerily similar to a squid’s. This marine creature is the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), and its existence is a testament to Mother Nature’s gifts…and her sense of humor.
This whale has the bizarre ability to confuse and blind its predators, but not in the way you might think. Here’s why the species has mastered the art of survival, and the art of “ink”-filled surprises.
What Is a Pygmy Sperm Whale?
The term “pygmy” speaks to the miniature nature of the pygmy sperm whale. While an average sperm whale can grow to 52 feet long, the pygmy sperm whale only reaches 6.5 to 9 feet in length. Not only is it elusive in the wild, but it’s also often mistaken for other similarly sized animals.
Most people aren’t close enough to confirm its identity, so confirmed sightings are rare despite its presence in all oceans. This whale prefers deep offshore waters, often near the edges of continental shelves and slopes, which contributes to its elusive nature and the rarity of sightings. In the event that a pygmy sperm whale is spotted in shallow water, it’s typically due to a stranding or a sick animal.
Pygmy sperm whales are roughly the same size as dolphins and are often mistaken for them.
©Fernando Mat/Shutterstock.com
Pygmy sperm whales eat the same food as their larger cousins. Their carnivorous diet typically consists of crustaceans, squid, octopuses, and deep-sea fish, albeit in smaller quantities. They consume their meals whole, which is how researchers have discovered squid beaks and other hard-shelled body parts in their stomachs. The fact that pygmy sperm whales consume so many squid and octopuses is ironic, considering their special talent for avoiding predators.
An Inkling of a Chance At Survival
A significant difference between dwarf sperm whales and full-sized sperm whales lies in their defense mechanisms. While full-sized sperm whales are intimidating due to their size, pygmy sperm whales lack that advantage. Instead, they take a lesson from the prey they consume, releasing an inky cloud toward their enemies. However, this “ink” isn’t anything like the thick black cloud that comes from a squid.
The defensive liquid produced by pygmy sperm whales is stored in a sac near their lower intestines. It’s reddish-brown in the water, resembling blood or mud. The viscous liquid creates a thick smoke screen underwater, temporarily blinding predators and allowing the whale to escape. This liquid is also noxious and can be foul-smelling, further inhibiting a predator’s ability to focus and find its prey.
Full-sized sperm whales don’t have the same “ink”-spilling abilities as the pygmy sperm whale.
©ohrim/Shutterstock.com
The kicker is the exact composition of this liquid: A blend of fecal matter and other bodily fluids. While many would say the tactic is vile, fans of the pygmy sperm whale would say it’s brilliant. Not only is it a disgusting thing to be hit with head-on, but there’s also a chance that predators can be overwhelmed by the sight and scent of it. Pygmy sperm whales use this tactic sparingly, though, and only resort to it at the last second when they’re desperate. Some might call it the “poop and run” tactic, but in the animal kingdom, it’s simply survival.
A Potent Cloud of Bodily Fluids
While rarely caught on camera, a video surfaced in 2020 of a dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) struggling to evade a seal. In the video, you can see the seal and the whale locked in battle while the whale desperately tries to swim away. As a last-ditch tactic, it releases that inky flow of bodily fluids to confuse the seal. As it swims, a reddish-brown liquid blooms beneath the surface, resembling a gruesome ocean crime scene. In reality, it’s just the lingering results of a successful escape attempt.
Sadly, according to the Reddit thread, the whale was later found following injuries sustained during the fight. Although it briefly gained freedom, it was badly wounded by the seal. It’s also unusual for pygmy sperm whales to be found so far inland, suggesting the whale may have been stranded before it encountered the seal. The video shows the species’ incredible determination and demonstrates the effectiveness of its bizarre, somewhat volatile defense mechanism.
