What do you know about sperm whales?
The sperm whale or cachalot with its scientific name as Physeter macrocephalus has the largest brain of any living creature that has ever existed on earth. It can weigh up to 39,500 kg (87,000 lbs.) for a male and 12,200 kg (27,000 lbs.) for a female.
Sir David Attenborough said that “the oceans cover 70% of the surface of our planet, and yet they are still the least explored.”
We have learned this data in our Science class since elementary days. And we knew that oceans are very deep!
How about become a marine biologist, who studies ocean life? Sounds majestic!
The number of species that live in the ocean is uncertain.
According to scientists, 91 percent of ocean organisms have yet to be identified, and over 80% of our ocean remains unmapped, unrecognized, and undiscovered.
Sperm whales are named after the waxy substance, spermaceti, found in their heads. Spermaceti was used in lubricants, oil lamps, and candles.
Sperm whales were hunted from their source until 1987 and were the primary target of the commercial whaling industry. As a result, the population of whales has been significantly diminished.
Many of the whales alive today have still witnessed the brutal slaughter of their family member.
Surprisingly, a curious sperm whale preferred to have a very close look on a freediver.
This unexpected encounter was filmed in the Atlantic waters of the Azorean coast, with special permission from the Regional Government of the Azores.
Sperm whales have a high level of intelligence. Their life span would range from sixty to seventy years.
“Do they understand that I belong to the species that behave so brutally towards them?”
“How will they react when I get closer?”
Sperm whales have giant squeals that can be longer than themselves. Their lower jaws are full of huge teeth. And they are juveniles on their part.
“What would seem like play to a young whale could be deadly serious for me.”
“With this meeting, I neearly forget to breathe.”
With a single stroke of its massive tail fin, a sperm whale can easily kill a person.
“Itis not possible to get any closer than this. Will my dream become a nightmare?”
But in spite of that, the freediver appreciates deep respect for these enormous creatures.
Perhaps a newly born calf swims right up to the camera, and its umbilical cord is still visible. The mother and the other members of the pod display no signs of trouble or aggression.
We still know very little about these amazing sperm whales – mammals!
Have a look at the breathtaking experience of the freediver who got a BIG kiss from the sperm whale in the video below!
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