Diet and feeding habits of the sperm whale (Physeter Catodon L.) in the cook strait region of New Zealand

Abstract

Stomachs of 151 sperm whales were examined at the Tory Channel whaling station in 1963 and 1964. In nine stomachs examined quantitatively there was a 1.69:1 ratio of squid to fish by weight. Some gastroliths were found. The weight of fresh food varied from 12.70 to 105 kg. Two samples of lower mandibles from squids totalling 2,118 specimens were separated into 11 types and subtypes with the help of a previously published key by M. R. Clarke. These types have been designated: Ai, Aii, Aiii; Bi, Bii, Biii; and C, D, E, F, and G. Some beaks (2.36% of the total) could not be grouped into these categories. Onychoteuthid squid made up the bulk of the stomach contents by number and weight. The following squid were identified: Nototodarus sloanei, Histioteuthis cookiana, Architeuthis sp., and Moroteuthis sp. The most common fish in the stomachs were: Polypriori oxygeneios (groper), Genypterus blacodes (ling), Hoplostethus sp., an unidentified eel, and Jordanidia solandri (southern kingfish). Other species recorded included Zeus faber (John Dory), Koinga kirki (spined dogfish), Myctophus humboldti (lantern fish), Echinorhinus cooki, and Echinorhinus sp. or Dalatias sp. Quantitative estimates suggested that commercial species of fish were usually less than 32% of the contents by weight. The feeding habits are discussed. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.