The sperm whale is one of the giant mammals in the world that have a unique habit of taking a nap in a vertical position.
According to National Geographic, sperm whales nap vertically because they rest using half of their brain capacity. This serves to avoid predators, maintain social contact, and control breathing. According to a study from Current Biology, sperm whales only spend seven percent of their day sleeping. This means that sperm whales only sleep for 10-15 minutes per day. Their sleep time is the least sleep time among other types of whales.
This whale was named the sperm whale because according to research conducted by National Geographic, the head of the sperm whale is filled with an oily liquid called spermaceti. The liquid will freeze at low temperatures and will help these whales dive deeper. The depth of the ocean that can be reached by sperm whales is about 3,280 feet. With that depth, he usually holds his breath for 90 minutes to find his favorite food, squid.
Sperm whales are classified as pods or live in groups. One herd group usually consists of 15-20 whales. The average weight of the sperm whale is 35-45 tons and it has a length of 49-59 feet. Despite having giant bodies, sperm whales are reliable swimmers. They can cross the ocean at a speed of 23 miles per hour.
The existence of these sperm whales has decreased over time. Humans carry out whale hunting for oil and ambergris. The oil from the sperm whale is believed to cure various ailments and the ambergris is used for perfume raw materials.
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