New Delhi: The hierarchy of the animal kingdom on this planet is based on the binary of predator and prey. While there are many predatory creatures on Earth, including the human beings who have hunted several species to extinction, the largest toothed predator is a massive beast, one which can dwarf any other animal, let alone us. The sperm whale, the largest toothed predator, is a gargantuan brute that of course, lives in the sea.
Also, among the toothed whales, the sperm whale takes the pole position in terms of size. The sole member of the genus Physeter, the whale is know for its massive size and also for certain features which made the animal, much to its misfortune, a lucrative target of the whaling industry.
The humongous sperm whales: A true display of size and strength
The average length of a mature sperm whale is 52 ft , with the head making up one-third of the total length of the animal. The whale dives to a depth of 7,380 ft, which makes it the third deepest diving mammal, with only the Cuvier’s beaked whale and the southern elephant seal exceeding that deep dive. Also, it resorts to vocalization and echolocation with source level as loud as 236 decibels underwater, which is the loudest among all the animals. Interestingly, the sperm whale has the largest brain on this planet, and it is over five times heavier than the brain of a human and they can live for 70 years or more.
How did it get its name?
Well, the reason behind its naming is also why it was rampantly hunted. The heads of the sperm whales contain a waxy substance, named spermaceti or sperm oil, which is why it has been named so. The whaling industry, in earlier times, targeted the spermaceti since it was and still used in oil lamps, candles, and lubricants.
Also, the whale sometimes has a solid waxy waste product in its digestive system, called Ambergris. It is a valued item as a fixative in perfumes, among other uses. In the 19th century, sperm whaling was a major industry as has been depicted in the famous novel Moby-Dick. Moreover, plastic pollution has acted as a major bane for the sperm whales since the second half of the 20th century. Since the 1970s, sperm whales have occasionally been found with pieces of plastic in their stomachs. However, thanks to the conservation efforts of international organizations, the population of sperm whale has revived in recent years.
Sperm whales, the largest toothed predators, are remarkable marine mammals known for their immense size, deep dives, and powerful vocalizations. Their massive heads contain spermaceti, a waxy substance that fueled the 19th-century whaling industry. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
