Sperm whale swims up to diver and ‘asks’ to be freed from fishing hook

Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are huge mammals that can grow up to 55 feet. Easily recognized by their massive heads and prominent rounded foreheads, these huge carnivores are actually vulnerable despite their size.

 

Scientists say these whales have the largest brains of any creature known to have lived. Perhaps that intelligence allowed this whale to ask for help from a diver.

Sperm whales’ heads also hold large quantities of a substance called spermaceti.

 

 

As massive as they are, these whales are gentle and only feast on squid they find when they dive down to the depths of the ocean.

The diver is Hugues Vitry. He is a world famous Maurician environmentalist and underwater photographer, and in this video, he removed a small fish hook from the whale’s lower jaw.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *