The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale and one of the deepest-diving mammals. Its massive, square head holds a sophisticated sonar system used to hunt squid in the darkness of the deep sea. Commercial whaling reduced its numbers dramatically, but it has partly recovered since whaling ended.
Interesting facts
- It is the largest toothed predator on Earth.
- Sperm whales can dive deeper than 2,000 metres and stay underwater for over an hour.
- Families communicate with patterns of clicks called codas, and different clans have their own dialects.
- Their huge head contains the spermaceti organ, filled with a waxy oil once prized by whalers.
- Ambergris, a substance formed in their intestines, has long been used in perfume.
- Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick is about a white sperm whale.
Behaviour
Females and young live in close-knit family units that babysit each other’s calves at the surface while mothers dive. Adult males travel alone or in small groups to cold polar waters, returning to warmer seas to breed.
Breeding and young
Females give birth to a single calf every four to six years after a gestation of about 14–16 months. Calves nurse for several years, and family members help care for them.
Threats and conservation
Past whaling, ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, ocean noise, plastic ingestion and chemical pollution.
Where to see it
- Kaikōura, New Zealand
- Dominica, Caribbean
- Andenes, northern Norway
- The Azores, Portugal, and Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Blue Whale Watching in Mirissa
Kaikōura Whale Watching Guide
