Species Data
Common Name
Sperm whale
Scientific Name
Physeter macrocephalus
Spanish Name
Cachalote
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Endemic/Native/Introduced
Native
Size
15 to 18 m length
Average Lifespan
Over 70 years
Predators
Orcas/killer whales
Food
Piscivore (squid and fish)
Animal Class
Mammal
Species Overview
Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales and largest toothed predators in the world. Often spotted in groups called pods of between 15-20 whales including females and their young. Whilst the males roam alone or move between groups. They eat about a tonne of fish and squid a day, and are known to dive up to a 1,000 m in search of food to eat, holding their breaths for up to 90 minutes on such dives. They were hunted around the world including the waters around Galapagos in the 17th to 19th century.
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