Sperm Whales | 18 May 2024

Souce: HT

Researchers investigating the Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), have outlined the fundamental aspects of their potential communication methods for the first time.

  • Sperm whales utilise rapid clicks underwater, resembling the sound of an exceptionally loud zipper, for communication and echolocation purposes, aiding in prey tracking.
    • These clicks are thought to constitute a "phonetic alphabet" enabling the whales to construct words and phrases.
  • The sperm whale is dark blue-gray or brownish, with white patches on the belly.
    • They are the largest of the toothed whales and have one of the widest global distributions of any marine mammal species.
    • They are found in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world.
    • They have the largest brains of any animal and live in matriarchal groups of about 10.
    • They are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, mentioned in Appendix I of CITES and included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Read More...