The biology and ecology of the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) is poorly understood among odontocetes (McAlpine 2002). In Hawaiian waters, pygmy sperm whales are the second most frequently recorded stranded cetacean species, with 35 strandings documented between 1963 and 2008 (Shallenberger 1981, Nitta 1987, Maldini et al. 2005, NMFS database1). Despite the high frequency of strandings, sightings of this species in Hawaiian waters are rare (Baird 2005). Given the low number of sightings, examination of stranded animals provides virtually the only means to study the biology and ecology of pygmy sperm whales in the area.
Citation:
West, K.L., W.A. Walker, R.W. Baird, W. White, G. Levine, E. Brown, and D. Schofield. 2009. Diet of Pygmy Sperm Whales (Kogia breviceps) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Marine Mammal Science 25(4): 931-943. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00295.x
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