How Did Sperm Whales Get Their Name?
- bioworld090
- Sep 12, 2022
- 3 min read
Image Credit: Oregon State University
Have you ever heard an animal's name and wondered how it got its name? If yes, then you must have also wondered how did sperm whales get their names. So,
how did sperm whales get their name?
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Sperm whales have a huge head and inside that head is present a soft, white, elongated and barrel-shaped organ called the spermaceti organ. The spermaceti organ contains around 2000 litres of a waxy substance. The early whalers believed that this waxy substance was the semen or sperm of the whale and therefore, they named it spermaceti. The exact meaning of the word "spermaceti" is the "sperm of the sea monster".
So, sperm whales got their name because they have spermaceti but
what exactly is spermaceti and why do sperm whales have it?
Spermaceti is a waxy substance found mainly in the spermaceti organs of the sperm whale. Spermaceti is a mixture of different compounds. Its primary constituent is cetyl palmitate. The other compounds that make up the spermaceti are lauric, myristic and stearic acid.
Why do sperm whales have spermaceti?
The exact reason why sperm whales have spermaceti is not clear but there are hypotheses that suggest it plays a role in buoyancy, echolocation or winning a partner during mating season.
BUOYANCY
The spermaceti flows freely at body temperature. According to this hypothesis, the sperm whale draws water in through its blowhole which cools the spermaceti. Upon cooling, the spermaceti changes its phase from liquid or wax to a somewhat solid state. This causes an increase in the density of spermaceti and causes the sperm whale to sink.
When the sperm whale has to ascend toward the surface, it heats the solid spermaceti by increasing the blood flow to the area. This causes the solid spermaceti to turn into liquid and the density of spermaceti also decreases. This results in the ascend of the sperm whale towards the surface.
ECHOLOCATION
According to this hypothesis, suggested by Norris and Harvey, spermaceti helps in sound production. It acts as an acoustic lens that helps focus the sounds made by a sperm whale towards an object or target.
MALE-MALE AGGRESSSION
This theory is based on the specific behaviour of sperm whales which causes injuries to other sperm whales and the sinking of ships. Two of the most famous ships that sunk because of sperm whales were the whaler ships, Essex and Ann Alexander. Sperm whales are seen ramming their heads with each other and the ships.
According to a study, this is exhibited by males. This theory is supported by the observation that the size of the spermaceti organ is relative to the size of the sperm whale. Sperm whales exhibit sexual dimorphism which means males(18-20m) are much larger than females(11-14m). This means that the spermaceti organ is much larger in males and indicates its use in male-male aggression.
These were the probable biological functions of the spermaceti.
From the perspective of a human being, a thing is worthless if it can't be used by humans in some way. So, the question is
can spermaceti be used by humans in any way?
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Spermaceti can be and has been used by humans for ages. It was used to make candles and as an oil for lamps in liquid form. Ointments, cosmetic creams, pomades, textile finishing and industrial lubricants are some other products that were prepared using spermaceti.
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