Ecology Sperm whale

global concentrations of sperm whales

sperm whales among cosmopolitan species. prefer ice-free waters on 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) deep. although both sexes range through temperate , tropical oceans , seas, adult males populate higher latitudes. among several regions such along coastal waters of southern australia, sperm whales have been considered locally extinct.

they relatively abundant poles equator , found in oceans. inhabit mediterranean sea, not black sea, while presence in red sea uncertain. shallow entrances both black sea , red sea may account absence. black sea s lower layers anoxic , contain high concentrations of sulphur compounds such hydrogen sulphide. first ever sighting in pakistan made in 2017. first ever record on west coast of korean peninsula (yellow sea) made in 2005. followed 1 on ganghwa island in 2009.

populations denser close continental shelves , canyons. sperm whales found in deep, off-shore waters, may seen closer shore, in areas continental shelf small , drops depths of 310 920 metres (1,020 3,020 ft). coastal areas significant sperm whale populations include azores , dominica. in asian waters, whales observed regularly in coastal waters in places such commander , kuril islands, shiretoko peninsula 1 of few locations whales can observed shores, off kinkasan, vicinity tokyo bay , boso peninsula izu , izu islands, volcano islands, yakushima , tokara islands ryukyu islands, taiwan, northern mariana islands, , forth. historical catch records suggest there have been smaller aggression grounds in sea of japan well. along korean peninsula, first confirmed observation within sea of japan, 8 animals off guryongpo, made in 2004 since after last catches of 5 whales off ulsan in 1911. while 9 whales observed in east china sea side of peninsula in 1999.

grown males known enter surprisingly shallow bays rest (whales in state of rest during these occasions). there unique, coastal groups reported various areas among globe such scotland, shiretoko peninsula, off kaikoura, in davao gulf. such coastal groups more abundant in pre-whaling days.

diet

a piece of sperm whale skin giant squid sucker scars

sperm whales dive between 300 800 metres (980 2,620 ft), , 1 2 kilometres (3,300 6,600 ft), in search of food. such dives can last more hour. feed on several species, notably giant squid, colossal squid, octopuses, , fish demersal rays, diet medium-sized squid. prey may taken accidentally while eating other items. of known deep sea squid has been learned specimens in captured sperm whale stomachs, although more recent studies analysed feces. 1 study, carried out around galápagos, found squid genera histioteuthis (62%), ancistrocheirus (16%), , octopoteuthis (7%) weighing between 12 , 650 grams (0.026 , 1.433 lb) commonly taken. battles between sperm whales , giant squid or colossal squid have never been observed humans; however, white scars believed caused large squid. 1 study published in 2010 collected evidence suggests female sperm whales may collaborate when hunting humboldt squid. tagging studies have shown sperm whales hunt upside down @ bottom of deep dives. suggested whales can see squid silhouetted above them against dim surface light.

an older study, examining whales captured new zealand whaling fleet in cook strait region, found 1.69:1 ratio of squid fish weight. sperm whales take sablefish , toothfish long lines. long-line fishing operations in gulf of alaska complain sperm whales take advantage of fishing operations eat desirable species straight off line, sparing whales need hunt. however, amount of fish taken little compared sperm whale needs per day. video footage has been captured of large male sperm whale bouncing long line, gain fish. sperm whales believed prey on megamouth shark, rare , large deep-sea species discovered in 1970s. in 1 case, 3 sperm whales observed attacking or playing megamouth.

ambergris

the sharp beak of consumed squid lodged in whale s intestine may lead production of ambergris, analogous production of pearls. irritation of intestines caused squid beaks stimulates secretion of lubricant-like substance. sperm whales prodigious feeders , eat around 3% of body weight per day. total annual consumption of prey sperm whales worldwide estimated 91 million tonnes (100 million short tons). in comparison, human consumption of seafood estimated 115 million tonnes (127 million short tons).

sperm whales hunt through echolocation. clicks among powerful sounds in animal kingdom (see above). has been hypothesised can stun prey clicks. experimental studies attempting duplicate effect have been unable replicate supposed injuries, casting doubt on idea.

it has been stated sperm whales, other large cetaceans, fertilise surface of ocean consuming nutrients in depths , transporting nutrients oceans surface when defecate, effect known whale pump. fertilises phytoplankton , other plants on surface of ocean , contributes ocean productivity , drawdown of atmospheric carbon.