What is cachalote?

Cachalote, or sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), is a large marine mammal belonging to the toothed whale suborder Odontoceti. It is the largest toothed predator and has the largest brain of any animal on Earth.

Cachalotes are easily recognizable by their massive square-shaped head, which can make up one-third of their body length. They have a wrinkled, dark gray skin and a distinctive blowhole located on the front left side of their head.

Sperm whales are found in oceans around the world, with populations in both deep offshore waters and coastal regions. They are known for their deep diving abilities, often going down to depths of 1,000 meters or more in search of their main prey, squid.

Cachalotes are highly social animals, typically living in groups called pods. These pods are usually comprised of females and their offspring, while adult males tend to live solitary lives or in smaller bachelor groups.

While they were historically hunted for their spermaceti oil, which was used in candles and lubricants, cachalotes are now protected under various international regulations. Despite these protections, they still face threats from pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and noise disturbance from human activities such as shipping and seismic surveys.