SPERM WHALE Meaning and
Definition
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A sperm whale is a large marine mammal of the Physeteridae family, scientifically known as Physeter macrocephalus. It is the largest toothed whale and one of the largest predators on Earth. The name sperm whale originates from the waxy substance called spermaceti, found in its head - mistakenly believed to be semen at one point due to its resemblance.
Sperm whales have an elongated body, with males typically reaching lengths of 18-20 meters and weighing up to 50 tons, while females are slightly smaller. They possess a distinctive square-shaped head, or "case", which accounts for one-third of their body length. Their skin is dark and wrinkled, often covered in scars caused by encounters with their prey or battles with other males. Their forehead contains a series of openings called "trumpets," used for producing clicks and echolocation.
These magnificent creatures are found in deep ocean habitats across the world, with a preference for warm temperate and tropical waters. They are highly skilled divers, capable of descending to depths of up to 3,000 meters in search of prey, mainly consisting of giant and colossal squid, fish, and sometimes even other cetaceans. Sperm whales are known for their exceptional echolocation abilities, emitting powerful clicks to navigate, communicate, and detect objects in dark, featureless waters.
Sperm whales are known for their complex social structure, living in large groups called pods, typically consisting of females and their calves. Males, however, tend to be solitary or form smaller bachelor groups. These pods exhibit strong bonds and exhibit cooperative behaviors when hunting or protecting their members from threats. The sperm whale holds a significant cultural and historical role, having been sought after for centuries for its valuable spermaceti oil, amber
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SPERM WHALE
- aperm whale
- zperm whale
- xperm whale
- dperm whale
- eperm whale
- wperm whale
- soerm whale
- slerm whale
- s-erm whale
- s0erm whale
- spwrm whale
- spsrm whale
- spdrm whale
- sprrm whale
- sp4rm whale
- sp3rm whale
- speem whale
- spedm whale
- spefm whale
Etymology of SPERM WHALE
The word "sperm" in "sperm whale" does not refer to its reproductive cells but actually comes from an archaic term "spermaceti whale". The word "spermaceti" originates from two Latin words: "sperma", meaning "seed", and "ceti", referring to a whale. When the term "spermaceti whale" was first used in the 18th century, it was believed that the large fluid-filled organ in the whale's head, called the spermaceti organ, contained the whale's sperm, hence the name. However, it was later discovered that this fluid is in fact a waxy substance, not actual sperm. Over time, the name became simplified to "sperm whale", although the original archaic term is still occasionally used.
Similar spelling words for SPERM WHALE
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