Overview
- Marine Mammal Science published the peer-reviewed study Monday that documents the first systematic video of sperm whales striking heads.
- Researchers flying drones over the Azores and Spain’s Balearic Islands between 2020 and 2022 recorded multiple head-first contacts that mostly involved sub-adult whales.
- One encounter paired drone video with an acoustic tag on a nearby whale that captured clicks and codas, short click patterns used in social communication.
- Researchers say the purpose is unclear and ask for more drone and audio records to test ideas such as rough play or rehearsal for adult competition.
- The footage supports long-standing sailor reports of head strikes, including the 1820 Essex account, though how often large adults ram vessels remains unresolved.