Scientists believe that headbutting is a form of rough play and social interaction.
For the first time, scientists have captured clear video footage of sperm whales from repeatedly colliding head-on with each other.
The findings, in the journal Marine Mammal Science, are based on drone images collected between 2020 and 2022 in the waters around the Azores and Balearic Islands. Researchers initially used drones for routine monitoring, however, the aerial perspective unexpectedly revealed repeated collisions between whalesincluding head-to-head and head-to-body impacts.
The images show the behavior occur in multiple contexts. In some cases, whales of similar size were seen colliding near the surface, while in others, males appeared to compete in the presence of a female. Some interactions involved repeated, violent contact, suggesting that the collisions were deliberate and not accidental.
Although the behavior may appear aggressive, researchers warn that it should not be interpreted solely as combat. The main hypothesis is that the headbutts represent a form of “rough play”particularly among younger males. Similar behaviors are observed in many animal species, where physical interaction helps individuals develop the strength, coordination and social skills needed later in life.
Scientists also suggest that the behavior may be linked to transition phases important in the development of sperm whales. Young males eventually leave their social groups to live more solitary lives, and these interactions may play a role in preparing them for future competitions, including mating and territory defense.
For several centuries now, there has been historical reports of whales using their heads as weapons, particularly in 18th- and 19th-century whaling narratives. These stories, including those that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, describe whales charging at ships.
The researchers note that all recorded incidents occurred within a relatively short period of time after the introduction of drones, suggesting that the behavior may be more common than previously believed previously, but difficult to detect through traditional observation from vessels.
