Sperm Whale

* Adult
* Juvenile

The **Sperm Whale** is a marine mammal in *Beyond Blue* and one of the main focus species of the game's storyline.

There are a total of 22 sperm whales that can be scanned throughout the course of the game (19 adults and 3 juveniles).

## Description

Biological Classification: Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Cetartiodactyla > Physeteridae > Physeter macrocephalus

### Adult

Length: ~12 meters (female), ~20 meters (male)

Regions Detected: Atoll, Open Ocean, Seamounts, Brine Pool, Vents, Coastal Area

#### Suspected Breeding Grounds

First mature male confirmed in region. May indicate active breeding grounds.

#### Sperm Whale Tag Retrieved

Recovered tag confirms the presence of Mirai's A-lineage sperm whale family in the region.

#### A-lineage Sperm Whale Family Tree

Partial census of Mirai's a-lineage sperm whale family in the region.

#### Sperm Whale Birth Confirmed

First female born within Mirai's a-lineage sperm whale family in five years.

#### Echolocation Clicks

Recording of echolocation "click" sounds during active hunting of squid.

#### Whale Buzz

First recording of a "buzz" sound that can be matched to video for behavioral analysis. We know why they clock. Why do they buzz?

#### Signs of Distress

Image analysis of the distressed sperm whale is inconclusive. Worried about the declining size of Andrea's family unit.

#### Sperm Whale vs. Giant Squid

First recorded video of a sperm whale encountering a giant squid while hunting! If only the tag hadn't gotten knocked off!

#### Whalefall

Whalefall discovered near the Vents. Fluke signature confirms the death of A2, one of two grandmother from Andrea's family.

#### Toxin from Harmful Algal Bloom

Biosample confirms the presence of a toxin, most likely from digesting a large quantity of prey with exposure to a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). Irina suspects the HAB was a result of nutrient runoff from farms near a coastal area.

#### Deceased

Biosample confirms the presence of toxin from a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). Goodbye, old friend. I promise to look in on Andrea for you from time to time.

#### Citizen Scientists Locate HAB

Citizen scientists from the region starting messaging us as soon as we posted our recording of the dive with coordinates for where they suspect the Harmful Algal Bloom formed.

#### Healthy Sperm Whale

Biosample from the male sperm whale shows no presence of toxins or disease.

#### Low Level Toxin Detected

Biosamples from the whales shows low levels of toxin in at least one whale, but not concentrated enough to cause lasting issues. Scars on A3 almost definitely from a ship strike.

### Juvenile

Length: ~5 meters

Regions Detected: Atoll, Open Ocean, Coastal Area

#### Andrea (A17) Fluke Signature

Baseline fluke and scar signature recorded for Andrea (A17).

#### Andrea's First Recorded Vocalization

Andrea's first recorded vocalization! André will start training the AI to recognize her voice signature. disruptive noise that seems to be causing distress with the whales in the region.

#### Distressing Noise Audio Capture

Disruptive noise that seems to be causing distress with the whales in the region.

#### Andrea Appears Healthy

Biosample from Andrea shows no presence of toxins or disease. That's a relief. Should study whether toxin can be passed from mother to baby during nursing?