A note on strandings and age of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) on the Brazilian coast

This note compiles recorded strandings of sperm whales on the Brazilian coast. A known total of 95 sperm whales (62 single and one mass stranding of 33 individuals) stranded along the Brazilian coast from 1967-2000. A higher incidence of single strandings was observed in northeastern Brazil ( similar to 05 degree -17 degree S). No strandings occurred in lower latitudes (< 14 degree S) from June-September. The seasonal and spatial pattern observed by the reported strandings may indicate higher stranding rates in higher latitudes ( similar to 18-25 degree S) between June and August (winter) and in lower latitudes ( similar to 3-7 degree S) between January and April (summer and spring). Strandings of smaller sperm whales (3-4.5m) were observed during the austral summer and autumn, indicating seasonality in the birth season. Growth-layer counts of three specimens provide the first data on age of sperm whales for Brazil.