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| Distribution |
Because it favors warm waters, the NC range is most likely from off Oregon Inlet south to the SC line, and thus likely is very scarce in the cool waters inshore of the Gulf Stream. Seen essentially in deeper waters, and not expected to be seen alive inshore of the Continental Slope. It has been documented from all eight coastal counties in NC.
Found worldwide, but limited mainly to warmer waters. In the Atlantic, found north mainly to the Gulf Stream, but sparingly toward the Canadian Maritimes. |
| Abundance |
Appears to be slightly less numerous than the very similar Pygmy Sperm Whale (based on stranding occurrences), but still seems to be uncommon and poorly known throughout its range owing to few being seen on offshore trips. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History mammal collections (2021) lists at 35 NC stranding records. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Through 1995, there were 12 known strandings along the coast (Webster et al., 1995). Oddly enough, as it is considered a warm-water species, the records occur from September through April; there were no strandings in the four months from May though August! However, Webster et al. (1995) suggest that the strandings might be mostly of females giving birth, or of female/young strandings. Backing up this seasonal pattern, the more all-encompassing NMNH database has nearly all of its 35+ stranding records from November to July, with a peak in March. (There are several probable records for August and September.) Thus, it is clearly scarce off the state in the summer and fall months. |
| Habitat |
Deeper waters of the Gulf Stream are preferred. |
| Behavior |
Both species of Kogia whales, when resting at the water surface, show the top of the front half of the body, from snout to dorsal fin; thus, they look like overturned surfboards! |
| Comments |
The Dwarf Pygmy Whale was not described until 1966, and thus records and sightings for most of the 20th Century, probably even well after the description, were condsidered to be Pygmy Sperm Whales. The Dwarf has a slightly larger (taller) dorsal fin, but otherwise is quite similar to the larger Pygmy. Not surprisingly, the IUCN considers both species as Data Deficient. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S3M |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G4 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
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| synonym |
Kogia simus |
