A species
The sperm whale
Cetacean - Odontocete - Physeteridae - Physeter macrocephalus - Sperm whale
|
Size
|
Approximate weight
|
|
| maximum and average for males |
18
m ; 14 to 16 m
|
45 to 70 tons
|
| maximum and average for females |
12 m ; 9 to 11 m
|
15 to 20 tons
|
The
sperm whale is the biggest odontocete. We find it everywhere in the world
(including the Mediterranean Sea), except near the poles. Its big head
represent 25 to 33 % of the total length of the animal. This proportion
is considerably larger for males than for females. This is actually the
cause of the great difference of their size.
 Photo
Jean-Michel Bompar
Sperm whale blow |
The blowhole is situated to the left on the front of the head. Their blow is then easily identifiable as it is going to the left with a 45° angle. The sperm whale has a dorsal hump situated on the third part of the back. When it dives its large triangular caudal fin goes well out of the surface. The body is dark grey-brown of a wrinkled aspect.
|
|
Sperm whales are great divers. They go down to more than 1000 m and some individuals have been recorded at 2800 m depth. They can stay underwater for more than one hour. They feed essentially on squids but also occasionally feed on octopuses and numerous fish species. |
 Photo
Renaud de Stephanis
Amanita's caudal fin, a sperm whale of the Strait of Gibraltar |
| Did you know? Grey amber that was used in the perfume industry (today it is synthesised) is coming from sperm whale's intestine. It is a concretion that forms around squid's beaks that are not digested by the stomach. |
Sperm whales live alone or in groups, sometimes of tens of individuals. The older males are generally solitaires or in small groups. During the mating season they can join the nursery (group of females with their calves). During their migration, males go further poleward while females and immatures stay in temperate waters. |
Sperm whale's meat was not considered palatable in most of the regions. They were hunted particularly for their spermaceti. It is a sort of wax, present in the head that was used as a lubricant for industrial pieces, candles and entered in the composition of cosmetic products.
CIRCE Newsletter n° 3 made by Anne Collet, Philippe Verborgh, Ilhem Bentaleb & Marie Capoulade