Maximum Length — Odontoceti

Among Odontoceti, the sperm whale is unrivalled in length, reaching up to 18 metres — nearly twice the size of a killer whale (9.8 m). The diversity of sizes is remarkable: the dwarf sperm whale and the pygmy killer whale measure only 2.6 to 2.7 metres, making them among the smallest whales in this group. Mesoplodon beaked whales, such as Sowerby’s and Blainville’s, reach lengths close to 10 metres, reflecting an elongated morphology adapted to deep diving.

Chart Data Table (corrected against bar order)

References (with hyperlinked sources)

• Ferreira, I. M., Kasuya, T., Marsh, H. & Best, P. B. (2014). False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) from Japan and South Africa. Mar. Mammal Sci., 30, 64–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12021
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• Maio, N. et al. (2022). Life History Traits of Sperm Whales Physeter macrocephalus Stranded along Italian Coasts. Animals, 13(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010079
• Ballenger, L. (2003). “Physeter catodon” — Animal Diversity Web
• Olesiuk, P. F., Ellis, G. M., Ford, J. K. B. (2005). Life history and population dynamics of northern resident killer whales. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Research Document 2005/045. (no DOI — government research document)
• Baird, R. W. et al. (2006). Diving behaviour of Cuvier’s and Blainville’s beaked whales in Hawai’i. Can. J. Zool., 84, 1120–1128. https://doi.org/10.1139/z06-095
• Shearer, J. M. et al. (2019). Diving behaviour of Cuvier’s beaked whales off Cape Hatteras. R. Soc. Open Sci., 6, 181728. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181728
• Pulis, E. et al. (2018). Movements and dive patterns of pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata). Aquatic Mammals, 44(5), 555–567. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.44.5.2018.555
• Seaton, T. (2002). “Mesoplodon europaeus” — Animal Diversity Web
• Feyrer, L. J. et al. (2020). Prolonged maternal investment in northern bottlenose whales. PLoS One, 15, e0235114. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235114
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2017). Management Plan for the Sowerby’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bidens) in Canada. Ottawa. (no DOI — government management plan)
• Armbruster, N. (2009). “Peponocephala electra” — Animal Diversity Web
• MBM (2021). Fichas de identificação de cetáceos no Arquipélago da Madeira. 66p. (no public URL — recurring, per tracker)