Abstract
A stranding of a single Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus was recorded at the Devbag beach (Arabian Sea), Karwar, Karnataka State, on the central west coast of India on 17th September 2009. As it occurred in the hours of darkness, a rescue operation could not be made, resulting in the death of the live-stranded animal. Species identification was carried out using morphometric measurements. Death was found to have resulted from natural causes, the unusually low tide was probably the cause of the stranding.
Highlights
The cetaceans are a diverse group with fossil evidence dating back more than 50 million years
Materials and Methods: On 17 September 2009, at 1730hr, a female Sperm Whale was stranded at Devbagh beach (14050’34.97”N & 74006’47.87”E) about 2km away from the Karwar coast (Fig. 1 & Image 1)
This beach is covered with casuarina plantations (Equisetifolia sp.) and areas of Ipomea pes-carpe, a sand dune plant
Summary
The cetaceans are a diverse group with fossil evidence dating back more than 50 million years. All living families of toothed whales evolved 5-25 million years ago (Joseph & Velerie 2005). It has a large head (one-third of its body length), and the S-shaped blowhole is located very close to the front of the head (Whitehead 2002) on the left side.
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