This month, we’re celebrating the majestic sperm whale! These extraordinary creatures roam the depths of our oceans, from the vast Pacific to the Mediterranean Sea.

Sperm whales live in complex, tightly knit family units known as pods, typically consisting of several females, their offspring, and juvenile males. At the heart of the pod is the matriarch, the oldest and largest female, who leads the group on their oceanic journeys. These family groups form incredibly strong social bonds—females often remain in the same pod for life, while young males eventually leave to live solitary lives or join other male groups.

Like dolphins, sperm whales communicate through clicks, forming a complex and sophisticated language. With the largest brain of any animal on Earth, they are among the most intelligent species on our planet. Despite their massive size and power, they are remarkably gentle and social.

From our experience swimming with them, sperm whale calves tend to be especially curious. Since they can’t hold their breath as long as adults, they surface more frequently to rest. During these moments, their mothers often leave them unattended, giving them the freedom to explore. This is when we experience some of the most incredible close encounters!

You may have seen mesmerizing photos of sleeping sperm whales—a behavior known as “logging.” In this state, they become vertically buoyant in the water, with their heads pointing up and tails down, remaining almost motionless. This allows them to rest and conserve energy while still maintaining body temperature. Unlike humans, sperm whales don’t enter full unconscious sleep; instead, they remain semi-alert to potential dangers. While images of adult sperm whales sleeping or socializing are widely shared online, witnessing this firsthand is a rare spectacle—we typically observe it only once or twice every ten days.