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News: Sperm whales have been caught headbutting on camera for the first time, confirming behaviour described by 19th century whaling ships.
About Sperm Whales
- Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales, easily recognized by their enormous square head and narrow lower jaw.
- Scientific Name: The scientific name of sperm whale is Physeter macrocephalus.
- Naming: They are named after spermaceti, a waxy substance found in their heads.
- Habitat: They live in deep marine waters, generally at depths greater than 1000 m.
- Distribution: They have one of the widest global distributions and are found in all deep oceans from equator to polar regions.
- Characteristics
- Body colour: The whale is dark blue-grey or brownish with white patches on the belly.
- Body structure: It has small paddle-like flippers and rounded humps on its back.
- Size: It has the largest head and brain of any animal.
- Lifespan: It can live up to 60 – 70 years.
- Spermaceti organ: The spermaceti is an oil sac that helps whales focus sound.
- Communication: They communicate using clicks called codas, where each coda has a distinct purpose.
- Ambergris: Ambergris is a waxy substance formed in the intestines around undigested matter and is used in perfumes.
- Threats
- Fishing activities
- Marine pollution
- Conservation status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITEs: Appendix I of CITES
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- International Whaling Commission (IWC) : It is protected by the IWC under a global moratorium on commercial whaling.
