‘Jackpot’ sighting of sea predator known for speaking in clicks thrills boaters off CA
.png "Due to their endangered status and long deep dives for food, sperm whales are exceptionally rare to see off California.")
One of the rarest possible sightings in Monterey Bay, California is that of a sperm whale, the gigantic ocean predator depicted in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick”.
But on July 14, for the first time in nearly eight years, whale watchers with Monterey Bay Whale Watch spotted one. Just above the surface of the water was that distinctively small dorsal fin and gigantic head.
A sperm whale was swimming near the boat.
“We hit the whale watching jackpot!!” the northern California organization said about the sighting. “Finding a sperm is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
In a video posted by MBWW, the gray predator can be seen gliding at the ocean’s surface, exhaling through a blowhole on the left side of its curved head. Then, its tail comes out of the water and lowers back down as the creature commences another dive.
Growing up to 52 feet and 90,000 pounds, sperm whales are the largest toothed predator on Earth. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they are known for their lengthy deep-dive capabilities. Sperm whales can hold their breath for over an hour while diving anywhere from 2,000-10,000 feet for food. During these dives, they feast on fish, sharks and squid.
For 180 years — up to 1980 — sperm whales were the popular target of commercial whaling. Largely because of this, they are now endangered, according to NOAA.
Intrigue surrounding the species only amplified earlier this year when the “click” sounds sperm whales are known for invaded headlines. Scientists at MIT had analyzed clicks from over 8,000 sperm whales, revealing something akin to an alphabet. Yes, it appears that sperm whales have conversations too.
“We hear them clicking often on the @mbari_news soundscape listening room Hydrophone that is in the bay, but just never see them,” MBWW said.
This story was originally published July 15, 2024 at 2:42 PM with the headline "‘Jackpot’ sighting of sea predator known for speaking in clicks thrills boaters off CA."