Sperm Whale - Animals Town

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Sperm Whale

Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 49 to 59 ft (15 to 18 m)
Weight: 35 to 45 tons (31.8 to 40.8 metric tons)
Group name: Pod
Did you know? Sperm whales and giant squid may be mortal enemies. Many stories of deadly battles between these two massive animals exist, and sperm whales have even been seen with suction cup-shaped wounds and remnants of giant squid in their stomachs.
Protection status: Endangered

What does a sperm whale look like?
Great sperm whales are the biggest of all toothed whales, the males usually much larger than the females. They travel in pods of up to fifty, composed of one or two males and a harem. Sperm whales are easily recognized by their massive heads and prominent rounded foreheads. They have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth. Their heads also hold large quantities of a substance called spermaceti.

Sperm Whale video.

Where do sperm whales live?
Sperm whales are divided into Northern and Southern hemisphere populations, and can be found in all oceans. Sperm whales are found in many open oceans, both in tropical and cool waters. Sperm whales live at the surface of the ocean but dive very deeply to catch the giant squid. Only males are found in Antarctic waters.

What does a sperm whale eat?
Sperm whales are known to dive as deep as 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) in search of squid to eat. These giant mammals must hold their breath for up to 90 minutes on such dives. When they dive, they use sonar to search for squid, their primary food source. The spermaceti organ may also play a part in sonar reception.