First-of-its-kind sperm whale video confirms 19th-century theories

Sperm whales have been recorded for the first time headbutting one another, validating what mariners have said since the 19th century. Drone footage captured by researchers at the University of St Andrews shows the mammals using their heads to deliberately ram into one another. The “sink-sinking” behaviour, never before seen on camera, was reported by many 19th-century whalers, who said the mammals would strike other whales, objects and even ships with their heads. The most famous example is the reported sinking of the Essex in 1820 by a large bull sperm whale off the Galapagos. This incident inspired Herman Melville’s classic tale Moby Dick. The reason for this behaviour is still unclear, but the team hopes that further research will provide answers.