Etymology
The name "sperm whale" is a clipping of "spermaceti whale". Spermaceti, originally mistakenly identified as the whales' semen, is the semi-liquid, waxy substance found within the … Meer weergeven

Distribution
Sperm whales are among the most cosmopolitan species. They prefer ice-free waters over … Meer weergeven

Sperm whales can live 70 years or more. They are a prime example of a species that has been K-selected, meaning their reproductive strategy is associated with stable environmental conditions and comprises a low birth rate, significant parental aid … Meer weergeven

External appearance
The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale and is among the most sexually dimorphic of all cetaceans. Both sexes are about the … Meer weergeven

After Valentine Worthington and William E. Schevill confirmed the existence of sperm whale vocalization, further studies found that sperm whales are capable of emitting sounds at a source level of 230 decibels – making the sperm whale the loudest … Meer weergeven

Relations within the species
Like elephants, females and their young live in matriarchal groups called pods, while bulls live apart. Bulls sometimes form loose … Meer weergeven

Fossil record
Although the fossil record is poor, several extinct genera have been assigned to the clade Meer weergeven