# Sperm Whale (*Physeter macrocephalus*)

> The sperm whale is the largest toothed predator on Earth, with males reaching 16–20 m (52–66 ft) and over 50 tonnes. Famous for deep dives exceeding 2,000 m hunting giant squid, it has the largest brain of any animal and lives in social female-led pods across the world's oceans.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Deep offshore waters worldwide in all major oceans; males range into polar seas while females and young stay in warmer temperate and tropical waters.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sperm-whale/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Physeteridae
- **Genus:** Physeter

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Physeter macrocephalus |
| Diet | Carnivore — squid, deep-sea fish, and occasional sharks |
| Habitat | Deep offshore waters worldwide; males range into polar seas |
| Lifespan | 60–70 years |
| Weight | Males up to 57,000 kg; females 15,000 kg |
| Top speed | Up to 35 km/h (22 mph) swimming |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Extreme deep diving

Sperm whales hunt in darkness more than a kilometre down, holding breath for over an hour. Spermaceti organs in the huge head may aid echolocation or buoyancy control. Scars from giant squid tentacles are common on bulls.

## Pod society and clicking

Females and young live in stable matrilineal pods, while mature males roam alone or in bachelor groups at higher latitudes. Coda clicks — patterned sequences — may function as clan identifiers across populations.

## Historic whaling impact

Sperm whales were primary targets of industrial whaling for spermaceti oil and ambergris. Populations are recovering slowly in some oceans but remain Vulnerable. Moby-Dick immortalised the species in literature.

## Modern threats

Ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, plastic ingestion, and underwater noise from sonar and shipping affect sperm whales today. Marine protected areas and shipping lane adjustments help, but deep-ocean monitoring remains difficult.

## Frequently asked questions

### How deep can sperm whales dive?

Over 2,000 m (6,500 ft), among the deepest dives of any mammal, lasting up to 90 minutes on a single breath.

### Why is it called a sperm whale?

Whalers thought the spermaceti waxy substance in the head was sperm — it is actually an oil-filled organ of uncertain function, possibly for echolocation.

### Do sperm whales eat giant squid?

Yes — giant and colossal squid are important prey, hunted in the deep scattering layer where light fades.

### How big is a sperm whale's brain?

About 7–8 kg — the largest brain of any animal, though brain size alone does not determine intelligence.

### Are sperm whales endangered?

Listed Vulnerable globally. Populations are recovering from whaling but face modern ocean hazards.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Physeter macrocephalus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Physeter%20macrocephalus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Physeter macrocephalus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Physeter_macrocephalus/)
- [Wikipedia — Sperm Whale.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_whale)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sperm-whale/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.