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Sperm whales are mostly dark gray, but oftentimes the interior of the mouth is bright white, and some whales have white patches on the belly. Their flippers are paddle-shaped and small compared to the size of the body, and their flukes are very triangular in shape. They have small dorsal fins that are low, thick, and usually rounded.

Sperm whales are mostly dark gray, but oftentimes the interior of the mouth is bright white, and some whales have white patches on the belly. Their flippers are paddle-shaped and small compared to the size of the body, and their flukes are very triangular in shape. They have small dorsal fins that are low, thick, and usually rounded.

Because sperm whales spend most of their time in deep waters, their diet consists of many larger organisms that also occupy deep waters of the ocean. Their principle prey are large squid weighing between 3.5 ounces and 22 pounds (0.1 kg and 10 kg), but they will also eat large demersal and mesopelagic sharks, skates, and fishes. The average dive lasts about 35 minutes and is usually down 1,312 feet (400 m), however dives may last over an hour and reach depths over 3280 feet (1000 m) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68mWBVOJ8yA]

Because sperm whales spend most of their time in deep waters, their diet consists of many larger organisms that also occupy deep waters of the ocean. Their principle prey are large squid weighing between 3.5 ounces and 22 pounds (0.1 kg and 10 kg), but they will also eat large demersal and mesopelagic sharks, skates, and fishes. The average dive lasts about 35 minutes and is usually down 1,312 feet (400 m), however dives may last over an hour and reach depths over 3280 feet (1000 m) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68mWBVOJ8yA]

Female sperm whales reach sexual maturity around 9 years of age when they are roughly 29 feet (9 m) long. At this point, growth slows and they produce a calf approximately once every five years. After a 14-16 month gestation period, a single calf about 13 feet (4 m) long is born. Although calves will eat solid food before one year of age, they continue to suckle for several years. Females are physically mature around 30 years and 35 feet (10.6 m) long, at which time they stop growing. For about the first 10 years of life, males are only slightly larger than females, but males continue to exhibit substantial growth until they are well into their 30s. Males reach physical maturity around 50 years and when they are 52 feet (16 m) long. Unlike females, puberty in males is prolonged, and may last between ages 10 to 20 years old. Even though males are sexually mature at this time, they often do not actively participate in breeding until their late twenties.

Female sperm whales reach sexual maturity around 9 years of age when they are roughly 29 feet (9 m) long. At this point, growth slows and they produce a calf approximately once every five years. After a 14-16 month gestation period, a single calf about 13 feet (4 m) long is born. Although calves will eat solid food before one year of age, they continue to suckle for several years. Females are physically mature around 30 years and 35 feet (10.6 m) long, at which time they stop growing. For about the first 10 years of life, males are only slightly larger than females, but males continue to exhibit substantial growth until they are well into their 30s. Males reach physical maturity around 50 years and when they are 52 feet (16 m) long. Unlike females, puberty in males is prolonged, and may last between ages 10 to 20 years old. Even though males are sexually mature at this time, they often do not actively participate in breeding until their late twenties.

==Sperm whales in the Bible==

==Sperm whales in the Bible==

The sperm whale is one of several marine animals suspected of swallowing [[Jonah (prophet)|Jonah]]. At least one recent account of a sailor being swallowed by a sperm whale exists, though he was horribly bleached for the rest of his days.<ref>[http://www.grmi.org/Richard_Riss/evidences/8jonah.html]</ref>  Rather than being docile, sperm whales are capable of aggressive acts; one attacked and sank the whaleship ''Essex'' in 1822.  More recently, a whale which swan into a Japanese bay attacked a boat of people trying to drive it out to sea, killing one [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHIBwl-rSaI].

The sperm whale is one of several marine animals suspected of swallowing [[Jonah (prophet)|Jonah]]. At least one recent account of a sailor being swallowed by a sperm whale exists, though he was horribly bleached for the rest of his days.<ref>[http://www.grmi.org/Richard_Riss/evidences/8jonah.html]</ref>  Rather than being docile, sperm whales are capable of aggressive acts; one attacked and sank the whaleship ''Essex'' in 1822.  More recently, a whale which swan into a Japanese bay attacked a boat of people trying to drive it out to sea, killing one [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHIBwl-rSaI].

== Sperm whales and the candle industry ==

== Sperm whales and the candle industry ==