2008 UN Vienna Endangered Species

The sixteenth edition of the United Nations Endangered Species series features species of marine life.  The Vienna stamps illustrate the Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris), Fire Coral (Millepora alcicornis), Thorny Seahorse (Hippocampus histrix), and Sperm Whale (Physeter Catodon).

Sperm whales, most common in the waters of temperate and tropical areas, eat nearly three percent of their body weight in squid every day.  Their large, box-shaped head takes up almost one third of their total body length.  Their oil is used for lamp fuel and in a number of cosmetic products.