structure to produce sound and an amplifying horn. Kogiidae have a modified colon which works as an "ink sac", storing liquid red feces. They are able to release over three gallons of this fecal "ink" to confuse or discourage predators. Ecology Range Kogiidae are believed to be cosmopolitan species, inhabiting all oceans except polar waters, remaining between the 50° latitude lines. Two fossilized species of Kogia sp. were shown to exhibit sympatry, similar to the two modern members of Kogia, which researchers suggested shows that this behavior has been part of Kogiidae for at least 3 million years. Behavior and feeding Extant kogiids travel in small groups and rarely surface, potentially to avoid predators like orcas. Kogiidae are deep diving whales, believed to dive up to depths of 500 m. Kogiids feed using a technique known as suction feeding, and their diet primarily consists of squid. Pygmy sperm whales are able to eat larger prey than dwarf sperm whales, although their diet as a whole is relatively similar. They have also been observed using echolocation to find their prey, and their hearing places them in the "Very High Frequency" group of cetaceans that can hear well above 100 kHz. Human threats Most observations of Kogia have come from individuals tangled in fishing line or stranded individuals. There is a commercial fishery for K. breviceps in parts of southeast Asia and the Lesser Antilles. Both species of extant kogiidae have also been observed stranded with plastics blocking their intestines. References Animals that use echolocation Taxa named by Theodore Gill Mammal families