Sperm whale size compared with GREAT WHITE SHARK

Sperm Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Sperm Whale Length

Sperm Whale Size

All of the world’s oceans contain sperm whales, but they are most frequently seen in deep, offshore waters. 

They have a large, square head with a protruding lower jaw and numerous wrinkles and creases on the skin, which give them their distinctive appearance. 

Additionally, they are renowned for their strong, spermaceti-filled teeth, which they employ in the pursuit of their prey, which includes enormous squid and other creatures of the deep sea.

The sperm whale, the biggest-toothed whale, is distinguished by its enormous head, which can account for up to one-third of its total length. 

Adult males can grow to a maximum length of 60 feet (18 meters) long, while females typically grow to a maximum length of about 40 feet (12 meters).

Sperm whale shark Length
Average sizeMale: 60 feet (18 meters) 
Female: 40 feet (12 meters)
Maximum size60 feet (18 meters)

Sperm Whale Weight

Sperm whales are enormous in terms of their overall size, but have you ever thought what their weight would be? 

Sperm whales have a relatively small appetite for their size, and they do not need to eat very often. 

However, when they do eat, they consume large amounts of food at once, and it is thought that they may be able to store some of this food in the large, spermaceti-filled organs in their heads.

The weight of a sperm whale can vary depending on its size and age. Adult males are typically larger and heavier than females, and they can weigh as much as 45 tonnes (50 short tons). 

Adult females are typically smaller, and they can weigh around 15 tonnes (17 short tons).

Sperm whale shark Weight
Average sizeMale: 45 tonnes (50 short tons/ 99,208 lbs) 
Female: 15 tonnes (17 short tons/33,000 lbs)

Sperm Whale Teeth & Mouth Size

There are a number of interesting features of the Sperm whale, one of them is their teeth and mouth that make them unique among whales and other marine mammals.

Another interesting feature is the size and shape of the teeth, which are large and conical in shape and are made of a dense, ivory-like material called “spermaceti.” 

The teeth are arranged in rows that can contain up to 50 teeth per side, and they are used for grasping and tearing the prey, rather than for chewing it. 

The teeth are located in the lower jaw, and they are used to grasp and tear prey, rather than to chew it. Sperm whales do not have teeth in their upper jaw, and they swallow their prey whole.

The mouth of a sperm whale is large and square-shaped, and it can be up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) tall. The mouth is lined with a number of wrinkles and creases, which may help to reduce drag when the whale is swimming. 

Sperm Whale Eye & Brain Size

Moving on, have you ever seen the eyes and skulls of whales? They are quite huge, but how huge is the question? 

So, let me tell you that the eyes of sperm whales are relatively small in comparison to the size of their massive head and body. 

They are located on the sides of the head, and they are adapted for vision in low light conditions, which is necessary for hunting and navigating in the deep sea. The eyes of the Sperm whale weigh about 170 g (0.3 lbs) and are about 7×7×3 cm. 

Additionally, Sperm whales have a number of other adaptations that allow them to function effectively in the deep sea, including a large, spiral-shaped brain, which is the largest of any animal on Earth. 

The brain of a sperm whale is the largest of any animal on Earth, and it can be as large as 1300 cubic centimeters and weigh 20 pounds (7 to 9 kilograms). 1

Baby Sperm Whale Size

Baby sperm whales, also known as “calves,” are born at a relatively large size compared to other mammals and grow quickly during their first year of life. 

Calves are typically born weighing around 1 ton (0.9 metric tons/2204 lbs) and measuring around 13-16 feet (4-5 meters) in length. 

They are nursed by their mothers for several years and grow rapidly during this time, reaching lengths of around 30-40 feet (9-12 meters) by the time they are around 5 years old.

In comparison to adult sperm whales, calves are much smaller. Adult males can reach lengths of up to 16 meters (52 ft) and weigh up to 45 tonnes, while adult females are typically smaller, reaching lengths of around 11 meters (36 ft) and weighing around 15 tonnes. 

Although the calves are smaller than their adult counterparts, they are quite larger and heavier than other baby animals of their age. 

Sperm Whale Size Comparison To Human

Sperm Whale Size compared to human

Now that we have looked at the difference between the adult and young sperm whale, let’s see the size difference between different species. For instance, in comparison to adult humans sperm whales are much larger.  

While adult Sperm males can reach lengths of up to 16 meters (52 feet) and weights of up to 45 tonnes, while adult females typically reach lengths of up to 11 meters (36 feet) and 15 tonnes. 

In contrast, the average adult human height and weight are 5.5-5.9 feet tall and weigh 132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs). 

Animal type LengthWeight 
Sperm whale Male: 60 feet (18 meters) 
Female: 40 feet (12 meters)
Male: 45 tonnes
Female: 15 tonnes
Average adult human 5.5 to 5.9 feet132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs)

Sperm Whale Size Compared To Orca

Sperm Whale Size compared to orca

Orcas are known for their intelligence and social behavior, and they are often observed hunting and interacting with other members of their pod. 

If we compare the two species based on their size, then although Orcas are known for their large size, they are quite smaller than the sperm whale. 

Adult male sperm whales can grow to a maximum length of 18 meters and a maximum weight of 45 tonnes, whereas adult female sperm whales are typically smaller, growing to a maximum length of about 12 meters and a maximum weight of 15 tonnes.

On the other hand, the Orcas are quite small measuring only 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 ft) in length and 6 metric tons (13,000 pounds) in weight. 

Animal type LengthWeight 
Sperm whale Male: 60 feet (18 meters) 
Female: 40 feet (12 meters)
Male: 45 tonnes
Female: 15 tonnes
Orcas6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 ft)6 metric tons (13,000 pounds)

Sperm Whale Size Vs Great White Shark

Sperm Whale Size compared to great white shark

Whales and sharks are both large water species, but have you ever questioned how large one is from the other? 

Sperm whales are much larger than great white sharks, and they are the largest of the toothed whales. 

Great white sharks typically reach adulthood with lengths of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) and weights between 680 and 1,800 kg (1,500 and 4,000 pounds). 

Much larger is the Sperm whale with an adult male being 18 meters long and weighing maximum of 45 tonnes, whereas adult female sperm whales are typically smaller, growing to a maximum length of about 12 meters and a maximum weight of 15 tonnes.

Animal type LengthWeight 
Sperm whale Male: 60 feet (18 meters) 
Female: 40 feet (12 meters)
Male: 45 tonnes
Female: 15 tonnes
Great white shark15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) 680 and 1,800 kg (1,500 and 4,000 pounds)

Also Check Out Pilot Whale Size & Comparison

Sperm Whale Vs Blue Whale Size Comparison

Sperm Whale Size compared to blue whale

Last up, is the massive Antarctic Blue whale. Blue whales and sperm whales are two of the largest animals on Earth, and they are both members of the cetacean family, which also includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. 

However, there are a number of differences between the two species in terms of their size, appearance, habitat, and behavior.

One of the main differences between blue whales and sperm whales is their size. Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and they can reach lengths of up to 65-75 ft and weigh as much as 200 tons (181 metric tons). 

Sperm whales are also large, but they are smaller than blue whales, with adult males reaching lengths of up to 18 meters (60 ft) and weighing up to 45 tonnes, and adult females reaching lengths of around 12 meters (40 ft) and weighing around 15 tonnes.

Animal type LengthWeight 
Sperm whale Male: 60 feet (18 meters) 
Female: 40 feet (12 meters)
Male: 45 tonnes
Female: 15 tonnes
Antarctic blue whale 65-75 ft400,000 pounds (200 tons)

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the size of Sperm Whale. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.

Thank You For Reading!

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