21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sleeping Sentinel: Scars of the Sperm Whale

An adult Sperm Whale peacefully slumbering in a vertical position at the water's surface. From the vantage point of its head, we are granted a unique perspective of its towering body. The photograph reveals the scars and scratches adorning its head, earned through fierce encounters with giant squids, their formidable prey. These battle wounds speak of the Sperm Whale's tenacity and reliance on these deep-sea battles for survival.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Mauritius
Copyright: © Ricardo Nascimento