Sperm whales in Mallorca Physeter macrocephalus
Discover the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, one of the most remarkable cetaceans associated with the deep waters around Mallorca. Its enormous head, extraordinary diving ability and distinctive tail make it unlike any of the dolphin species closer to the coast.
Sperm whales in Mallorca at a glance
A quick introduction to Physeter macrocephalus, a specialist of the deep sea whose biology is shaped by long dives and life far below the surface.
Hello, I’m Fin
This time we are travelling far beyond my usual world near the surface. The sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, spends much of its life exploring depths that few marine mammals can reach.
Its enormous head, characteristic blow and habit of raising its tail before a deep dive make the sperm whale one of the easiest large cetaceans to recognise once you know what to look for.
5 interesting facts about sperm whales
Sperm whales are built for the deep ocean. From the proportions of their enormous head to the marks on their tail, almost every part of their anatomy tells us something about their unusual way of life.
An extraordinary head
One of the first things you notice about a sperm whale is the sheer size of its head. It can account for roughly a third of the animal’s total body length.
This unusual shape gives Physeter macrocephalus a profile that is instantly different from the streamlined form of most dolphins and other whales.
Deep waters around Cabrera
The deep marine environment around Cabrera, just south of Mallorca, is particularly relevant to the sperm whale story on the island.
The original material for this page records around 450 individuals and highlights their remarkable ability to dive as deep as 2,000 metres and remain underwater for as long as two hours.
A distinctive angled blow
The sperm whale’s blowhole is positioned slightly to the left rather than directly in the centre of the head.
As a result, its blow emerges at an angle. From a distance, this oblique spray can be an important clue when identifying a sperm whale at the surface.
Every tail tells a story
Before beginning a long dive, sperm whales often raise their tail flukes clearly above the surface.
The shape, colour and individual marks on those flukes can be photographed and compared, allowing researchers to recognise particular sperm whales through photo-identification.
Hunters of the deep
Sperm whales descend into deep, dark waters in search of prey, including squid.
These long dives take them into a marine world that remains almost completely invisible from the surface, making the sperm whale one of Mallorca’s most fascinating deep-water cetaceans.
Can you see sperm whales around Mallorca?
Sperm whales are associated with deep offshore waters rather than the shallow coastal areas where many dolphin excursions take place. Around Mallorca, the waters near Cabrera are especially relevant because the sea floor drops into the deeper Mediterranean habitat these animals use.
This also means that a sperm whale encounter is never something that can be expected on demand. They travel and dive through an enormous underwater environment, often disappearing beneath the surface for long periods before returning to breathe.
See dolphin watching toursMore dolphin and cetacean species in Mallorca
Continue exploring some of the other cetaceans associated with Mallorca and the surrounding Mediterranean.
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