Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

ppiero

Date

July 2015

Place

Norway (Google, OSM)

Description

In mare aperto, whales tour con ricerca sonar.
Stesso esemplare emerso due volte.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

redhat

Date

June 2011

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

jdelgadoesteban

Date

December 2011

Description

Stranded Bull on the Old Hunstanton Beach, Norfolk, UK on December 2011

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

scubale

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

petemella

Date

June 2013
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

sea-kangaroo

Date

February 2006

Description

Not a lot to see, admittedly, but the texture on the back is pretty characteristic (besides the fact that we were on a guided tour and sperm whale tours are this town's main attraction).

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

pimlem

Date

Missing Date

Tags

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

edwilson

Place

Missing Location

Description

This whale is known as Tiaki.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

isabella_plummer

Date

July 2017
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

gigacat

Description

Observed from an aircraft at 1000' (I think).

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

allisonwelch

Date

July 2017

Description

Sperm whale in Kaikoura bay

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

anita363

Date

December 2006

Place

Missing Location

Description

The sperm whale floats at the surface for ~10', blowing and resting. Then it sounds; this is the only time you see the tail. It all happens in surreal slow motion: the back starts to curve into a graceful arc; the arc rolls forward, carrying the head down and the tail up; and then the tail slides silently beneath the waves. Once down, the whale will remain below on its feeding dive for ~40'.

The underwater topography is what makes Kaikoura special. Just a few km offshore the continental shelf drops precipitously to form Kaikoura Canyon, which channels an upwelling of nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean to the surface here. Hence there is a rich concentration of sea life, from plankton to fish to pelagic birds all the way up to the top predator and star of the show, the sperm whale. (And did I mention pelagic birds?)

Whale Watch Kaikoura is a Maori-owned, ecofriendly operator, and they did a very good job. I believe they track the whales by low-intensity sonar and spotter plane; at any rate, they have a 95% success rate at finding them. The local whales are familiar with the whalewatch boats and allow them to approach very close. We had 3 sessions with 2 individuals: after the first whale dove we acquired another; then we rejoined the first one when it resurfaced 40' after its first dive.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

anita363

Date

December 2006

Place

Missing Location

Description

Yes, it's a he. The males & females have different migration patterns, and all of the ones seen here are males. I caught this one with its head bobbing a bit out of the water, so you can see that huge, iconic sperm whale head. Kept trying to catch that rainbow in the spout, & finally succeeded.

The sperm whale floats at the surface for ~10', blowing and resting. Then it sounds; this is the only time you see the tail. It all happens in surreal slow motion: the back starts to curve into a graceful arc; the arc rolls forward, carrying the head down and the tail up; and then the tail slides silently beneath the waves. Once down, the whale will remain below on its feeding dive for ~40'.

The underwater topography is what makes Kaikoura special. Just a few km offshore, the continental shelf drops precipitously to form Kaikoura Canyon, which channels an upwelling of nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean to the surface here. Hence there is a rich concentration of sea life, from plankton to fish to pelagic birds all the way up to the top predator and star of the show, the sperm whale. (And did I mention pelagic birds?)

Whale Watch Kaikoura is a Maori-owned, ecofriendly operator, and they did a very good job. I believe they track the whales by low-intensity sonar and spotter plane; at any rate, they have a 95% success rate at finding them. The local whales are familiar with the whalewatch boats and allow them to approach very close. We had 3 sessions with 2 individuals: after the first whale dove we acquired another; then we rejoined the first one when it resurfaced 40' after its first dive.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

akasha

Date

January 2016

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

sumacann

Date

March 2017
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

lenoreatwood
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

d_kluza

Date

December 2012

Place

Missing Location

Description

Two male Sperm Whales off the coast of Kaikoura. Male Sperm Whales are solitary creatures -- seeing two side-by-side is quite a find.

Whale Watch Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

tbrooks

Date

December 2011

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

edwilson

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

nikbaines

Date

December 2006

Description

We saw 3 sperm whales on this day

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

harumkoh

Date

May 2017

Place

Missing Location

Description

マッコウクジラ. Whale watching. I was so excited. :)

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

cedarleaf

Date

June 2017

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

cedarleaf

Date

July 2017

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

mikepatterson

Date

March 2017
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

leecain

Date

March 2017
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

cypseloides

Date

August 2010

Place

Missing Location

Description

With Pink-footed Shearwater flying over.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

anudibranchmom

Date

April 2015

Description

Washed ashore last night - already dead, not stranded. As of this posting it was being autopsied by a large team from Cal Academy and the Marine Mammal Center. Teeth were very worn and no visible signs of trauma, so maybe died of old age?

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

anudibranchmom

Date

October 2016

Description

Video: https://flic.kr/p/NgKdhH

Distinctive off-center, puffy spout on the horizon had us flying full tilt despite swells. Yee-haw! Got two nice looks at this rare visitor, with a 40-minute dive in between. Second photos show tooth rake marks on body, perhaps another sperm whale being social or orca or ? This could very well be the same individual first spotted on Oct 1 by the Blackfin out of Monterey - @leptonia on board: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4253161

What a treat. Thank you Kate, Jim, and the entire Blue Ocean Whale Watch crew.

UPDATE: This is apparently the 4th sighting of this individual since Oct 1.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

leptonia

Date

October 2016

Place

Missing Location
Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Observer

kolasafamily

Date

December 2016

Place

Missing Location

Description

Mega-pod of over 50 individuals. Females and juveniles. In sub-groups of two to three individuals.

Sperm Whale - Photo (c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne and Pam Osborn
sgero's ID: Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Added on September 8, 2017
Supporting

Stats

  • 44