Sperm whale Facts
Sperm whale Facts
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| Interesting Sperm whale Facts: |
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| Sperm whales are large animals that can reach 49 to 50 feet in length, weighing between 35 and 45 tons. Males are larger than females. |
| Sperm whales have bluish-gray, or light brown wrinkled skin. Their large, squared head makes one third of the total body size. |
| Sperm whales were named because of the organ located in their heads known as spermaceti. This organ produces large quantity of waxy substance (oil) that regulates whale's buoyancy. |
| Unlike other whales, sperm whale has a single blowhole that is located on the left side of the head. Condensed air is blown forward and under the angle, which helps in identification of the sperm whale from a distance. |
| Sperm whales have between 18 to 30 conical teeth in their tiny lower jaw. |
| 80% of the sperm whale's diet consists of giant squids. Battle between these two gigantic creatures often leaves sperm whales with large scars. Other than giant squids, sperm whales eat fish, octopus, shrimps, crabs and sharks that are living on the bottom of the ocean. |
| While hunting giant squids, sperm whale can dive to the depth of more than 3000 feet. |
| Sperm whale can spend 90 minutes under the water, without returning to the surface of the water to breathe. |
| Sperm whale can swim at the speed of 23 miles per hour. |
| Sperm whales have small eyes and their eyesight is poor. However, even blind whales are able to find food thanks to echolocation. This technique consists of producing clicks and listening of the returning sounds (after bouncing off the objects in front of them). By using echolocation sperm whales can detect prey without using their eyes. |
| Sperm whales live in groups called pods. They are composed of sexually mature females and their offspring. Males are usually solitary, except during the mating season. |
| Mating season takes place during the summer. Male joins the pod of females and mate with all sexually mature individuals. |
| Pregnancy lasts 14 to 16 months and ends with a single baby. Mother takes care of the baby during the first 2 years of its life. |
| Sexual maturity of sperm whales depends on their size. Females are able to become pregnant as soon as they reach the length of 28 feet. Males are ready for mating when they reach the size of 39 feet. |
| Sperm whales live between 50 and 70 years in the wild. |
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