Sperm whales are found in deep waters in all of the world’s oceans. These spectacular animals are the largest toothed whales and one of the deepest diving mammals on the planet. They have been hunted for hundreds of years and in the Yankee Whaling Era were of great economy significance to the United States. Their complex social organisation made them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and in some places they were hunted to dangerously low levels. With the development of new scientific techniques and approaches, a great deal has been learned about the natural history and behaviour of these whales. “Sperm Whales” brings much of this fascinating new information together in the same place for the first time.

Edition: 2001