Arabic version: أول لقطات مسجلة لحيتان العنبر وهي تضرب رؤوسها تم التقاطها

Researchers claim to have the first verified footage of sperm whales headbutting each other with force, a phenomenon that has intrigued marine biologists for centuries. This groundbreaking observation was made during a study published in Marine Mammal Science, featuring aerial video from the Balearic archipelago off Spain. The footage shows a juvenile male sperm whale forcefully ramming into a small female, marking the first scientific documentation of this behavior.

According to ABC News, the study was led by quantitative physiological ecologist Alec Burslem, who expressed excitement about the discovery. He noted that the head-on contact varied in strength and occurred in different contexts, suggesting that further observations, particularly of older males, are necessary to understand the reasons behind such interactions.

The study brought together research teams from the University of St Andrews, Tursiops Association, and the University of the Azores, who captured various instances of headbutting. Additional videos from the Azores show interactions among whales, including head-on collisions and behaviors resembling rough play. Researchers speculate that these interactions might have implications for the social dynamics within groups of sperm whales, particularly affecting young males’ transitions to adulthood.

Marine biologist Robert Harcourt, who was not part of the study, noted that observing such behaviors is challenging without a vertical perspective, such as that provided by drones. He suggested that this type of headbutting might not be uncommon among sperm whales, as similar rough play is observed in many social mammals. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of sperm whale behavior and social structures, highlighting the need for more research on this mysterious species.