A note on the stranding of the sperm whale Physeter catodon Linnaeus at Mahabalipuram on the East Coast of India

Detailed measurements for an young male specimen of the sperm whale Physeter catodon Linnaeus which was stranded at Mahabalipuram beach on 12-4-80 are given. It is of interest to note that this species is again recorded from the vicinity of Madras after a lapse of nearly 90 years.