The Whale That Inspired the Story, "Moby Dick"
What physical adaptations allow whales to live entirely in the water?
Current Sperm Whale Population
Whaling Industry
Ambergrist is used in expensive perfumes
NOAA and Duke Scientists, plus volunteers
Veterinarians Discuss strategy
Inferior view of whale
Ms. Sutton lends a helping hand.
Bottom teeth only
Whale tooth
Whale rib
Atlas bone
Hyoid Bone
Magnificent creatures
"Moby Dick" was based on a true story about a whaling ship that was rammed and sunk by an 85', 80 ton sperm whale while hunting whales in the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about the story of the Essex in Nathaniel Philbrick's book, The Heart of the Sea.
After nearing extinction during the glory days of the Whaling Industry (mid-1800s), sperm whales are making a comeback. Commercial whaling is now illegal throughout the world. Sperm whales are found throughout the world except in Polar Seas.
Whale oil cost $2.00/gallon in the 1800s (that's equivalent to $200/gallon today). The oil had a variety of uses, including oil lamps...
... train lubrication... and even as transmission lubricant for Rolls Royce cars.
Ambergrist forms in the intestines of Sperm Whales around squid beaks. Squid is a main part of the whale's diet and the beaks of the squid are not digested.
The sperm whale that washed ashore on our coast was 33.5' long. These scientists join hands to add some perspective on the size of this JUVENILE. Sperm whales can reach 60+ feet in length.
Vets from NOAA and N.C.State prepare to perform a necropsy on the dead whale to learn more about the species, including the cause of death. In this case... parasites.
Scientists begin making the initial cuts to remove the whale's blubber and expose the internal organs.
Assisting the scientists with the necropsy was a real learning experience. Temperatures were in the single digits during our 12-hour workday on the shoreline. The windburn was worth it!
Sperm whales are toothed whales but only have a bottom row of teeth. The upper jaw has slitted openings that the bottom teeth slide into for eating. The tongue is the red section toward the back of his mouth.
Scientists can cut a cross-section from the tooth and determine the age of the whale. The tooth has growth rings.
Compare the size of this rib to your own!!
The atlas is the bone that supports the skull. Humans have these, too. Ours is a much smaller version. The spinal cord travels through the opening.
This is the bone that supports the whale's tongue.
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The Whale That Inspired the Story, "Moby Dick"
"Moby Dick" was based on a true story about a whaling ship that was rammed and sunk by an 85', 80 ton sperm whale while hunting whales in the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about the story of the Essex in Nathaniel Philbrick's book, The Heart of the Sea.