How a Sperm Whale DMs a Friend

Canopener the expressive sperm whale demonstrates a wide range of cachalot vocalizations including clicks, creaks, and codas as she calls out to her small friend Hope.

In this clip, we see Canopener dip beneath the surface and spin to echolocate in a full circle as she searches for Hope. While waiting for a reply, the gregarious whale keeps herself amused by playfully entertaining her observers. In the background, the subtle clicks of members of their social unit emanate from the depths. When the smaller whale draws closer, Canopener performs another vocal rotation to seemingly provide directions. The two friends exchange enthusiastic codas upon their reunion.

During this extended encounter, I was fascinated to witness these two familiar whales communicate with such specificity. The visibility was marginal on that day, and I heard Hope long before seeing her appear to accompany Canopener. This was a profoundly insightful experience to witness first hand, and it has provided me a deeper understanding of sperm whale communication.

[boomer]

Thank you for sharing this. She's beautiful.

[lenamannerfeltholm]

I am in awe Susan. Thank you for sharing this amazing footage of Canopener.

[MamaEtna]

Sounds like hammering and a hammer drill. Pretty amazing she can make this sound.

[ArchTeryx]

One thing I noticed is around 0:15 Canopener empties her bowels. Of course, if you gotta go, you gotta go, but that often is done before a dive since you have to dog all the hatches at high water pressure. It certainly wasn't a nervous reaction; might have even been a sign of relaxation, since she sees zero threat in you. Maybe she was anticipating that once she found Hope, they'd go diving, and this was part of her prep. She even seemed to aim *away* from you before flushing the bilges.

She also seemed to have a general idea of where Hope might be, because she was clicking in specific directions hoping for the pingback. She even stopped around 1:22 to say "hi there" to you, before resuming trying to find her dive buddy. And as always, even at point blank range, she was very careful around you. That close-up of her flukes was incredible. How often do you get to see Sperm Whale flukes at that range, without fear?

I get the idea that these are very diplomatic animals, with etiquette all their own. Stuff like this is amazingly valuable, because you can see and deduce a lot from watching them act so naturally.

[visceratiocarnificina]

I am so deeply moved each time when You post Your experience. The videos radiate with calmness which soothes me. Thank You very much for Your work.

[anthonychihuahua]

A significant bond is between them 🐋❤🐋
Reminds me how my lovebirds and parakeets make various tones of clicking to communicate 🥰