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Sperm Whale

Sperm whales are deep-dwelling divers and can be found as deep as 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) under the surface of the ocean. They are named for a unique organ in their heads containing spermaceti — a waxy substance and oil sac that helps whales focus sound.  

 

Sperm whales are true ocean titans. They can live up to 77 years, dive to enormous depths, and are the largest toothed whale, growing up to 15.8 meters (52 feet) long! Their distinctive, box-like head means they can easily be distinguished from other whales. Sperm whales have a thick layer of blubber — up to 35 centimeters (13.8 inches) — which surrounds their bodies and keeps them warm in chilly waters. They also have about 18-28 teeth on each side of their lower jaws, which slot into holes in the upper jaw, and few nonfunctioning teeth on their upper jaw. 

These whales use their teeth to chow down on a variety of prey, including sharks, skates, and octopus, but their primary food is squid. They eat up to 3% of their massive body weight in squid per day! Sperm whales come together in pods that can have over 100 individuals, although sizes around 30-100 whales are more common. They make click, squeak, whistle, groan, and make other noises for echolocation, making them a noisy bunch! Sperm whales also emit a unique repetitive sequence of 3-40 clicks when greeting another whale called a “coda.” 

 

 

From the early 1800s to the 1980s, sperm whales were specifically hunted by the commercial whaling industry for their spermaceti. They were not fully protected from this industry until 1986. Even now, sperm whales are still considered to be vulnerable, and their populations are still recovering. Today, sperm whales can be injured and killed by vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and climate change.

 

 

Because sperm whales swim in all oceans of the world, protecting their future means protecting the oceans. Learn about how Oceana is campaigning to make oceans safer for whales by limiting fishing gear entanglement, and preventing vessel strikes, and stopping harmful oil spills here.  

 

 

 

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