# New Sperm Whale Species Found in Gunma Fossils

> Scientists identify Miophyseter gunmaensis, a new sperm whale species from 15.5-million-year-old fossils in Gunma Prefecture.
- Title: New Sperm Whale Species Found in Gunma Fossils | Shortify
- Summary: Scientists identify Miophyseter gunmaensis, a new sperm whale species from 15.5-million-year-old fossils in Gunma Prefecture. Fossils from Gunma Prefecture…
- Keywords: miophyseter gunmaensis, sperm whale, gunma prefecture, gunma museum of natural history, fossils, japan, news, politics, world, Sperm, Whale, Species
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/19/japan/society/japan-whale-fossils-new-species
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-10-19T09:11:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: miophyseter gunmaensis, sperm whale, gunma prefecture, gunma museum of natural history, fossils, japan, news, politics, world
## New Sperm Whale Species
Scientists identified a new sperm whale species from fossils found in Gunma Prefecture dating back 15.5 million years.
## Species Named Miophyseter gunmaensis
The species combines traits of ancient and modern sperm whales, making it the third new species found in Japan from fossils.
## Fossils Discovered in Gunma
Local fossil enthusiasts found three specimens between 1994 and 2011 along the Tone River tributaries in Gunma Prefecture.
## One Specimen is a Calf
One fossil includes nearly a complete skeleton of a calf measuring 3 to 4 meters long.
## Skull Features for Deep Dives
The species had a large skull depression to withstand deep water pressure and well-developed throat bones for suction feeding.
## Mixed Feeding Strategy
It also had more teeth than modern sperm whales, suggesting it used both suction and biting to feed.
## Key takeaway

Fossils from Gunma Prefecture reveal a new sperm whale species that combined deep-diving traits with biting feeding habits.