If any one whale best fits the prototype that most people think of when they imagine a whale, the sperm whale might be the best choice.

Brief Description:

• Typical full-grown length: 17 meters (about 56 feet; males larger than females)

• Color: dark grayish-brown to brown; wrinkled appearance

• Shape of head: boxcar-like, comprising up to 40% of the full body length

• Dorsal (back): rounded or triangular hump followed by knuckles along spine

• Tail movement: raised on longer dives

• Habitat: from tropics into Bering Sea; adult males can be found farther north (north of 40 degrees latitude) than females or young

• Other facts: a single blowhole on left of head at front