Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Sighting evidence at Princesa Sperm Whale Corridor, Azores — Faial and Pico
Photo: Gabriel Barathieu · CC BY-SA
The sperm whale is the largest toothed predator on Earth and the deepest-diving air-breathing animal known, reaching depths beyond 2000 metres in pursuit of giant squid. The channel between Faial and Pico sits above one of the richest deep-sea squid grounds in the North Atlantic, sustaining a year-round resident population of several family groups. Sperm whales have the largest brain of any animal that has ever existed and are known to have distinct dialects — the Azores population has vocal patterns unique to this archipelago.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Sperm whale is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.