Common name: Sperm Whale.

Scientific name: Physeter macrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Family: Physeteridae

Distribution and Habitat: Its presence in the region is common. It occurs in deep waters.

Description: The blowhole is located at the left side of the head, causing an angular blow. The body colouration is grey-dark brown and the skin is rough looking from the flippers to the tail peduncle. Its head is squarish, bulky and has no beak. Dorsal fin almost inexistent, very small flippers and triangular-shaped tail fluke completely visible when it dives. Its body length varies between 11 and 15 m and its weight between 20.000 and 40.000 Kg, the females being smaller and also lighter.

Conservation statute and Threats: Vulnerable species in the region and worldwide.

Observations: This species uses the Madeira waters any time of the year,but mainly from March to September