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Sperm Whales: Social Evolution in the Ocean
Famed in story as "the great leviathans," sperm whales are truly creatures of extremes. Giants among all whales, they also have the largest brains of any creature on Earth. Males can reach a length of sixty-two feet and can weigh upwards of fifty tons.
With this book, Hal Whitehead gives us a clearer picture of the ecology and social life of sperm whales than we have ever had before. Based on almost two decades of field research, Whitehead describes their biology, behavior, and habitat; how they organize their societies; and how their complex lifestyles may have evolved in this unique environment. Among the many fascinating topics he explores is the crucial role that culture plays in the life of the sperm whale, and he traces the consequences of this argument for both evolution and conservation. Finally, drawing on these findings, Whitehead builds a general model of how the ocean environment influences social behavior and cultural evolution among mammals as well as other animals.
The definitive portrait of a provocative creature, Sperm Whales will interest animal behaviorists, conservationists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists as well as marine mammalogists.
With this book, Hal Whitehead gives us a clearer picture of the ecology and social life of sperm whales than we have ever had before. Based on almost two decades of field research, Whitehead describes their biology, behavior, and habitat; how they organize their societies; and how their complex lifestyles may have evolved in this unique environment. Among the many fascinating topics he explores is the crucial role that culture plays in the life of the sperm whale, and he traces the consequences of this argument for both evolution and conservation. Finally, drawing on these findings, Whitehead builds a general model of how the ocean environment influences social behavior and cultural evolution among mammals as well as other animals.
The definitive portrait of a provocative creature, Sperm Whales will interest animal behaviorists, conservationists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists as well as marine mammalogists.
- GenresScienceNonfictionAnimals
456 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 20, 2015
An Incredible take on the sperm whale species and its potential for being considered a cultural species. It's incredible detail of sperm whale behavior and cultural evolution is mesmerizing. The vast array of details in sperm whale communication and organization is Outstanding in setting up the case for cultural evolution on par with other cultural species including humans. An over all great read for any one interested in sperm whales or evidence of culture in other species.
January 22, 2010
Fascinating book about Sperm Whales (a mix of research data - a little dry and over my head and more readable stuff about the whale's social structures. Turns out they most resemble elephants in the way they live. Made me dislike the Orca (referred throughout as its old name, the Killer Whale) as it's the Sperm Whale's only non-human predator. As of right now my favorite Whale!
April 13, 2017
An amazing read. Well paced and a perfect blend of facts and stories that give an amazing feel for these extraordinary animals, and also what it must be like to study them. One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews