Male Sperm Whale Exhibiting Parallel Scars From Fighting With Other Males

This male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has a series of parallel scars, which are thought to be from deep tooth rakes inflicted by other males during confrontations. The scars are present on the left and right sides of the whale, as well as on the ventral surface. Note also the whitened front of the whale, which is thought by some also to result from accumulated scarring due to inter-male confrontations. Photographed in Ogasawara (Bonin Islands), Japan.

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Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 5172x3448 / 51.1MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Animalia Bonin Islands Cachalot Cetacea Cetartiodactyla Chichijima Chordata CITES Appendix 1 Japan Male Mammalia Marine Mammal Odontocete Odontoceti Ogasawara Pacific Parallel Scars Physeter catadon Physeter macrocephalus Physeteridae Sperm Whale Toothed Whale Vulnerable: IUCN Red List Whale
Contained in galleries: Sperm Whales, Marine Life | Japan

This male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has a series of parallel scars, which are thought to be from deep tooth rakes inflicted by other males during confrontations. The scars are present on the left and right sides of the whale, as well as on the ventral surface. Note also the whitened front of the whale, which is thought by some also to result from accumulated scarring due to inter-male confrontations. Photographed in Ogasawara (Bonin Islands), Japan.