Sperm Whale

Photo: azure27014 · CC BY-NC

Sperm whales are the largest toothed predator on Earth, with males reaching 18 metres and diving to over 2000 metres in pursuit of giant squid along submarine canyons. The population that visits Batticaloa waters in the northeast monsoon season is part of the Sri Lanka breeding ground — one of the most important sperm whale habitats in the Indian Ocean, identified through decades of cetacean research. Encounters in the water are conducted by following surfaced or resting whales in slow, non-threatening approaches; the animals' curiosity and social nature means that patient in-water encounters can last 30 minutes or more.