Physeter macrocephalus (Sperm Whale)
Sightings of this deep water species in Hebridean waters are rare. All the records from the Outer Hebrides from 1989 to 2015 on NBN relate to strandings.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit
IUCN (2001) - Vulnerable
EC CITES Annex A
Bern Convention Appendix 2 & 3
EU Habitats Directive Annex 4
Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation
Sperm whales are easily recognisable whale both at a distance and at close range. It has a large and distinctly square upper jaw which projects above the narrow lower jaw. The body is black to charcoal grey in colour, while the inside of the mouth and the lips are white. The blowhole is positioned at the front of the head. A dorsal hump is present two-thirds down the body followed by a serrated midline. The flippers are almost rectangular.
Identifying features
Up to 18 m in length.
Small dorsal hump two-thirds down the body followed by smaller humps.
Large square head up to 30% of the body length.
Narrow lower jaw with a white inside colouring to the mouth.
S-shaped blowhole at the front left side of the head.
About 20 peg-like teeth in each side of the lower jaw.