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Long Beach Sperm Whale Watching |
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 Southern California Sperm Whale Description
The average male Sperm whale is about 67 feet long. Yet, they have been known to reach as much as 80 feet in length. Female Sperm whales are typically about 30% smaller than the male. Male or female, they are considered to be one of the largest mammals on the planet, akin to size of the Blue Whale. The head of the Sperm whale is arguably its most prominent feature, extending beyond a large area of its body. Despite weighing about 18 lbs, it is said that the Sperm whale’s brain is disproportionately small considering its enormous head. They are uniquely recognized also be the deepest divers of all whales, reaching depths of 2 miles on average! And while other whales can typically stay under water for no more than 20 minutes, the Sperm Whale can remain underwater at deep levels for over 90 minutes! As one of the biggest whales in the world, the Sperm whale does not have many predators, other than the cannibalistic Killer (Orca) whale. The Sperm whale can live as long as 65 years.
Southern California Sperm Whale Population
The Sperm Whale is considered to be endangered. They are popular hunted for their “spermaceti”, an ingredient that is used to produce candles and oils. As a result, the Sperm whale population has plunged to less than 300,000 from over a million a last few decades ago. Since the international ban of whaling, a lot of conservation measures have been set in place in order to preserve the already fragile population from extinction.
Southern California Sperm Whale Feeding Habits
To sustain their massive bodies, Sperm whales must naturally eat large amounts of food. They primarily consume octopuses and squids, including the notable, “Giant Squid”. Interestingly, unlike other whales that eat various kinds of fish as their main food source, the Sperm whale only accidentally catches fish as they are trying to catch the octopuses and squid. This quirky fact is the basis of the Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Another amazing tidbit of the Sperm whale is that as an adult, it can eat about 3% of its own body weight a single day amounting to about 100 tons a year---which is more sea life than all humankind will consume in a single year!
Southern California Sperm Whale Migratory Patterns
Sperm whales are considered to be very “mysterious” ocean travelers. This is large part because while they are known to swim great lengths for extended periods of time; these whales have also been known to travel very little, choosing to remain in the same area for a year at time. Studies suggest that the migration patterns of the Sperm whale are not predictable as the Blue Whale or Humpback Whale. Instead, the migratory paths of the Sperm Whale are literally one-of-a-kind, in that they are different for each individual Sperm whale.
Long Beach Whale Watching conducts whale and dolphin watching cruises seven days a week with tours at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. It is a good idea to arrive early as these cruises do fill up quickly. Tours usually last from two to two and a half hours. Ticket prices are as follows:
Individual Ticket Prices – Two Hour to 2 ½ Hour Cruise
Adults $30
Seniors (62 and over) $25
Children (11 and under) $18
Children (2 and under) FREE!
Ticket Prices for groups of 25 or more.
Adults $22
Seniors (62 and over) $18
Children (11 and under) $12
Children (2 and under) FREE!
You can order your tickets online by clicking the button, or calling 562-432-4900. If you have a discount coupon, please present it at the ticket booth.
We look forward to seeing you and continuing to make Long Beach Whale Watching your choice for whale watching in southern California. We offer convenient parking and are located near many area attractions such as The Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach Lighthouse and Queen Mary as well as excellent shopping and restaurant so you can make a day of it. Whale watching is a wonderful experience regardless of age. We can’t wait to provide the best whale watching in southern California experience possible.
For more information on other Southern California Whales, please click on the link below:
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