Sperm Whales Caught On Camera Headbutting Each Other For First Time

Sperm whales off the coast of the Azores and the Balearic Islands have been seen by drone headbutting each other. This is the first time this behavior has been captured on film and scientifically described, confirming historic reports from 18th- and 19th-century whalers. While the cause of the behavior isn't totally clear, researchers from the University of St Andrews suggest in a new paper in Marine Mammal Science that the juvenile male whales might be rough playing before they start their solo adult lives. Read more: https://www.iflscience.com/for-first-time-sperm-whales-have-been-captured-on-video-headbutting-each-other-were-just-not-sure-why-82944 Credit: University of St Andrews Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS, University of the Azores Association Tursiops