Sperm Whale Guide: The Deep-Sea Champion of the Abyss

The Leviathan of the Deep

The Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and a true champion of the deep ocean. Famous in literature as “Moby Dick,” these whales are easily identified by their massive, square-shaped heads and their ability to dive into the abyss in search of giant squid.

The Masters of Echolocation

The Sperm Whale’s head contains the Spermaceti organ, a large sac filled with oils. Scientists believe this organ acts as a powerful amplifier for echolocation, allowing the whale to “see” its prey in the total darkness of the deep sea. Their “clicks” are the loudest sounds produced by any animal on Earth.

Key Identification Features

• Angled Blow: The blowhole is located far forward and slightly to the left, causing the spray to shoot out at a 45-degree angle.
• The Skin: Unlike the smooth skin of other whales, Sperm Whale skin has a wrinkled, “prune-like” texture.
• The Teeth: They only have teeth on their lower jaw, fitting into sockets in the upper jaw.
• Dorsal Hump: Instead of a fin, they have a series of “knuckles” or humps on their back.

Deep Diving Champions

• Depth: They can dive to over 2,000 meters (1.2 miles) deep.
• Duration: A single dive can last over an hour.
• Diet: Primarily Giant and Colossal Squid.

Best Places for Sperm Whale Sightings

• Dominica (Caribbean): The world’s only resident population.
• Kaikoura (New Zealand): Year-round sightings in the deep canyon.
• The Azores (Portugal): A mid-Atlantic hub for social groups.
• Andenes (Norway): Summer sightings near the Bleik Canyon.
• Sri Lanka: Found in deep waters along the southern coast.

Social Life of the Deep

Females and their calves live in stable social pods, while adult males roam the world’s oceans alone, only visiting the pods to mate. They are known for “sleeping” vertically in the water, a surreal sight for any diver lucky enough to encounter them.

Fluke Tip: The Sperm Whale’s fluke is perfectly triangular and broad. They almost always lift it high out of the water before a deep dive, making it the “signature” shot for whale watchers.

The Sperm Whale is a reminder of the vast, unexplored depths that cover 70% of our planet.