All About Sperm Whales

The scientific name for the Sperm Whale is Physeter Macrocephalus. Sperm Whales are Toothed Whales.

Sperm whales are known for their box like head. Sperm whales are dark gray or brown with a lighter underside and a creamy patch runs along the whales lower jaw.

Sperm Whales grow up to 50 feet long and can range from 36-65 feet and with 19 1/2 -56 tons. The sperm whale has a huge upper jaw and a much smaller lower jaw. Sperm Whales have short stubby flippers. Male Sperm Whales are twice the weigh of the females.

The Sperm Whale is the deepest diver of all whales. Sperm Whales regularly go down to depths of 3,300 feet and has been tracked by sonar to depths as much as 4000 feet. Sperm Whales can remain under water for up to two hours.

The Sperm Whales square like head contains a wax-like substance called “spermaceti”, one theory about “spermaceti” is that the it hardens as a Sperm Whale dives helping them dive to great depths. As the Sperm Whale begins to surface the “spermacti” becomes more like liquid returning the whales buoyancy.

Sperm Whales swim close to each other often touching and caressing. Sperm Whales communicate using a series of clicking sounds, they can also make louder banging sounds which can be heard up to 5 miles away. Male sperm whales form loose bachelor pods when young, but usually become solitary with age.

The sperm whale is the largest carnivore in the world. Sperm Whales eat Giant Squid.

Sperm Whales spend their winter months in warm waters near the equator where they breed. In the Spring they migrate to the North and South poles where they remain for the summer. The Female sperm whale live with their young in pods of 10-15. Sperm Whales gestation is 14-15 1/2 give birth to one calf at a time. Males leave their pod when they are about 6 years old.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net