The etymological dictionary of Corominas says the origin is uncertain, but it suggests that it comes from the Vulgar Latin cappula 'sword hilts'. The sperm whale is also known as the "cachalot", which is thought to derive from the archaic French for 'tooth' or 'big teeth', as preserved for example in the word caishau in the Gascon dialect (a word of either Romance ( See " Spermaceti organ and melon" below.) Spermaceti, originally mistakenly identified as the whales' semen, is the semi-liquid, waxy substance found within the whale's head. The name "sperm whale" is a clipping of "spermaceti whale". The species is protected by the International Whaling Commission moratorium, and is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Sperm whaling was a major industry in the 19th century, depicted in the novel Moby-Dick. Beachcombers look out for ambergris as flotsam. Ambergris, a solid waxy waste product sometimes present in its digestive system, is still highly valued as a fixative in perfumes, among other uses. Spermaceti (sperm oil), from which the whale derives its name, was a prime target of the whaling industry, and was sought after for use in oil lamps, lubricants, and candles. It has the largest brain on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human's. The sperm whale uses echolocation and vocalization with source level as loud as 236 decibels (re 1 µPa m) underwater. Plunging to 2,250 metres (7,382 ft), it is the third deepest diving mammal, exceeded only by the southern elephant seal and Cuvier's beaked whale. Mature males average 16 metres (52 ft) in length, with the head representing up to one-third of the animal's length. A mature sperm whale has few natural predators, although calves and weakened adults are sometimes killed by pods of killer whales (orcas). Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females and young males live together in groups, while mature males (bulls) live solitary lives outside of the mating season. The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding. It is the only living member of the genus Physeter and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. The sperm whale or cachalot ( Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. Physeter australasianus Desmoulins, 1822.These whales are the third deepest diving mammal in the world.Sperm whales live around all deep oceans.Sperm whales are the loudest animals on the planet.When born, both sexes of sperm whale are the same.The sperm whale is one of the largest whale species in the world.Male sperm whales become sexually mature around 18 years of age and female sperm whales are fertile at around nine years of age.The whales are currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.Today, their populations are increasing and recovering. Commercial whaling during this period decimated populations, but the moratorium in the mid-1980s stopped much of the predation by human beings. This is due to overfishing during the 19th and 20th centuries. The whales are currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Sperm whales can live more than seventy years. They are usually between 12-14 feet when born, with females growing to 35 feet when mature and males to around 60 feet. When born, both sexes of sperm whales are the same. They lactate for 19-42 months afterward, and calves may suckle for up to 13 years. They gestate for about 14-16 months and give birth to one baby at a time. Male sperm whales become sexually mature around 18 years of age, and female sperm whales are fertile at around nine years of age. They do not provide any care for the young but do play a role in the younger bulls’ lives, helping them learn how to survive and exert dominance among other males. When choosing a mate, bulls fight over females, often mating with more than one. Sometimes, they do venture close to islands, like New Zealand’s South Island and the Galapagos, according to. Sperm whales are rarely found close to land due to the fact that they prefer to hunt in deep waters. The whale populations are still recovering from commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries that decreased their populations substantially. Sperm whales live around all deep oceans, from the equator to the edge of the Arctic and Antarctic ice packs, according to NOAA. View of sperm whale teeth and upper sockets – see also the reasons behind why whales are endangered
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