Kogia sima Owen 1866

Dwarf sperm whale is widely distributed in the continental shelf and slope of temperate and tropical coasts of all oceans. They feed on cephalopods, fishes and crustaceans. The head of dwarf sperm whale is shark-like but they are quite shy animals. When startled, dwarf sperm whales may emit reddish intestinal fluid then escape. Dr. Wen-Hao Chou, Deputy Director of NMNS, published the scientific record in 1989. This Kogia sima is the first scientific specimen in Taiwan.