Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

11–18 metros
60–70 años
Vulnerable
Sobre

Sperm Whale

The sperm whale is the largest toothed predator on Earth and the deepest diving mammal, capable of reaching depths over 2,000 metres. Made famous by Melville's Moby Dick, these magnificent creatures possess the largest brain of any animal and communicate using powerful clicks that can be heard for kilometres. The Azores are one of the world's premier locations for sperm whale encounters.

Tamaño

11–18 metros (machos más grandes)

Peso

20,000–57,000 kg

Esperanza de vida

60–70 años

Estado

Vulnerable

Dónde encontrarlos

Mejores ubicaciones de buceo

Azores, PortugalDominica, CaribbeanSri LankaKaikoura, Nueva ZelandaNoruegaGalápagos

Consejos de buceo

In-water encounters are typically snorkelling only and heavily regulated. Never approach from the front. Let the whale control the interaction. Their echolocation clicks can be physically felt underwater — a truly extraordinary experience.

Mejor temporada

Year-round in the Azores (resident population), peak April–October

Hábitat

Deep oceanic waters worldwide, particularly near submarine canyons and continental slopes

Alimentación

Giant squid, deep-sea fish, and octopus — can consume up to 900 kg per day
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Datos curiosos

1

Sperm whales can dive to over 2,000 metres and hold their breath for 90 minutes

2

Their clicks at 230 decibels are the loudest sound produced by any animal

3

The spermaceti organ in their head was once harvested for lamp oil and lubricants

4

They sleep vertically, bobbing at the surface in groups — a behaviour called 'logging'

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