Sperm Whales-Amazing Mammals With Collapsible Lungs.

Without not having to take a second look at a Sperm whale, as it lunges through the placid blues and greens of the worlds oceans; one would immediately be able to tell, that this is definitely an animal which harnesses a great deal of respect and power. And what's even more amazing, is to be able to witness this 100,000 pound, sixty foot mammal as it leaves the oceans surface and plunges to a depth of over 6,000 feet or more, into the blackness of the abyss.

Besides producing baby whale calves, the Sperm whales main purpose for diving to such an incredible depth, that not even a manmade submarine can reach, is to search for food. And you may be asking what sort of food type, could satisfy the craving of such a large beast. To answer that question, there is only one other known leviathan, besides the sperm whale, that ventures to these great depths. And that is no other then the giant squid, or Architeuthis, as this squid is often referred to.

This species of squid, is also known to dwell in the dark caverns and valleys near the ocean bottom, which the sperm whale also swims through during its trip through inner space. In addition, Architeuthis and sperm whales, are literally the only two marine giants, except for an occasional lantern fish or two, that can be found at such an impregnable depth.

Another amazing fact about the sperm whale, is that it can stay submerged at over a mile and a half below, for more than a good hour or more. Before making an equally long journey back up towards the oceans surface again. Sperm whales are unique in the sense that they are the only whale that is able to dive to this incredible depth in the search of prey. Most other whales, the balleen and Blue whale for example also termed filter feeders-which means that they literally do not have any teeth like the sperm whale. But are able to sift through their mouth small fish and plankton found much closer to the oceans surface.

What also sets sperm whales apart from other monsters of the deep and what is most likely not only the most important and significant fact about this amazing mammal. Is that they have a unique set of lungs within their blubbery bodies, that deflate like an airbag, as they prepare to descend into the inky depths of the deepest oceans. During this deflation or retracting process, sperm whales are able to conserve much energy as their circulatory systems, including heart rate slows considerably and yet, are able to maintain a good clip below the surface in search of their main food source, the giant squid.

In addition to being able to dive to such a great depth and stay submerged beneath the surface for a great period of time. Sperm whales also are able to locate another type of prey, that is much smaller then architeuthis and that is the Jumbo squid. Jumbo squid, are probably the most consumed of all food types for sperm whales. And some jumbo squid are often found to be no more then a foot in length. But despite this relatively small size, compared to the sperm whale. Thw sperm whale is still able to detect the jumbo squid at this distance.

So one could easily see based on the sperm whales unique built in sonar, that if it has no difficulty detecting a school of jumbo squid, at a distance of over a mile. Then it certainly would not have difficulty locating a much larger delicacy-Architeuthis, or the giant squid, at over a mile and a half below the surface and to add, in such dark conditions.

Sperm whales that are sometimes found washed up along our oceans shores, have ended up there for one of two reasons. They have either became separated from their individual herds and ventured too close to shore. And as a disastrous result of this is...became beached there-dying a slow death by having the oxygen supply cut off to their lungs and body tissues; from the tremendous weight crushing down upon their bodies and internal organs.

Whales are much like humans, not only in intelligence and internal anatomical make up. But in the way, that they like most ocean mammals belong in the water. We humans being the opposite, could survive temporarily in a watery environment. But are terrestrial, or land dwellers for the most part. So we like these giant mammal counterparts, would not fare well in the water for too long. And the same would hold true for whales. They would not last long on land, without the assistance of man, to help place them back into their respectful environment.

Sperm whales like humans can live a good many years under normal conditons and circumstances. It is not uncommon to hear of a sperm whale that has lived seventy to seventy-five years or more. They also like other mammals, as docile as they may appear to be from a distance. Must still be respected for not only their majestic size and power.

But also like any other animal, we must be respective of their home, or environment. Basically we are invading their territory. And in turn they may consider us a threat, if we tend to get curious and too close for comfort. This is particularly true, if they are caring and rearing young calves within the heard. Getting too close here, could be a cause for aggression on a whale, or any other animals part for that matter. Who knows aggression, or associated anger; could have been the reason why years ago, some larger whales in their individual herds, turned on whaling vessels, looking to hunt them and their young.

I also sometimes tend to think that the supposed infamous legend of Moby Dick, about a great albino sperm whale, that battled with Captain Ahab and his crew aboard his ship the Pequod, was not so legendary after all. Back during that era when Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick wrote this popular and memorable piece. Such a sperm whale of that description and stature, could have very well existed, in the depths of the Indian Ocean, where Captain Ahab sailed, searched and preyed upon whales and where Moby Dick, was busy pursuing more then just Captain Ahab, but also his own prey, the giant squid.