Sperm WhalePhyseter macrocephalusWhere and when to see them

The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale, with an enormous squared head and a body adapted to feeding in deep ocean waters. Females and young usually occupy warmer seas, while mature males range into colder latitudes. It is entirely marine, so coastal sightings depend on deep water lying close to shore or a distant view from a vessel's deck. Historical whaling greatly reduced many populations.

Size

Length 11–18 m

Weight

15–50 tonnes

Lifespan

60–70 years

Status

Vulnerable

Females and young form enduring social units, maintaining contact through patterned sequences of clicks called codas. Mature males become more solitary or join loose male groups, periodically visiting warmer breeding areas. Whales spend long intervals feeding far below the surface, followed by recovery periods when their blows may be visible. Group members sometimes support calves or injured companions, demonstrating social relationships that extend beyond a mother and her offspring. Communication among social units is complex, involving various click patterns and codas that can signify identity or context. Males can travel vast distances between breeding and feeding grounds, sometimes covering thousands of kilometers. Females show strong maternal bonds, and alloparental care, where other females assist in raising calves, has been observed within social groups.

• The blowhole sits asymmetrically near the left front of the head.
• Sperm whales have the largest brains of any living animal.
• Social groups can share characteristic coda patterns.
• Mature males are substantially larger than adult females.

There is no single worldwide viewing season. Some deepwater coastal areas support whales in many months, while weather and sea conditions determine practical observation opportunities. Clear horizons and calm seas improve detection of distant blows; regional travel windows should not be interpreted as breeding periods. In the Azores and Madeira, large numbers of females and calves are present during spring and summer months, coinciding with peak squid availability. Conversely, off Norway, males are often sighted during the summer as they feed in the rich Arctic waters. Monitoring local research or tour operator reports can help determine regional viewing opportunities.

Sperm whales inhabit deep offshore waters worldwide, especially continental slopes, submarine canyons and oceanic island margins. Productive underwater terrain can bring suitable feeding habitat relatively close to land. Shallow coastal bays generally offer poor prospects, even within countries where the species is regularly recorded. The species is found from the equator to the edge of the pack ice in both hemispheres. Females and young tend to remain in tropical and temperate waters, while mature males migrate to higher latitudes. These deeper, colder waters offer rich feeding grounds for the larger males.

Squid form the main prey, supplemented by deepwater fish and some octopuses. Prey composition differs between regions, sexes and body sizes. Echolocation helps whales locate food in darkness, and suction assists capture; their conspicuous lower-jaw teeth are not essential for every feeding event. In some regions, they are known to consume colossal squid, which can be larger than the whales themselves. Stomach contents have also revealed sharks, skates, and even bottom-dwelling fish, indicating their versatile hunting strategies. Their specialized teeth in the lower jaw are primarily for grasping, not chewing, and they often swallow prey whole.

Common name

Sperm Whale

Scientific name

Physeter macrocephalus

Animal group

Mammals

Size

Length 11–18 m

Weight

15–50 tonnes

Lifespan

60–70 years

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Its huge block-shaped head, low knobbly dorsal hump and forward-left angled blow distinguish it from baleen whales and smaller toothed whales. The skin is often wrinkled, particularly around the head, and can range from dark grey to brownish. Their small, paddle-shaped flippers are tucked close to the body, and the caudal fin (flukes) is triangular with a deep notch. Unlike baleen whales, they possess only a single blowhole, positioned on the left side of their head.