Gigantic Whales of the Sea

Colossal and giant squids, however, are just a meal for an even larger animal, the sperm whale, which can grow to about 60 feet [20 m] in length and weigh as much as 50 tons. One tooth alone weighs two pounds [900 g]! Dead sperm whales have been found with portions of giant squid in their stomach. These whales also had circular scars from squid suckers on their huge, blunt heads, showing that the squid put up a hard fight. In 1965 the crew of a Soviet whaleboat claimed to have seen a battle between a giant squid and a 40-ton sperm whale. Neither survived. The strangled whale was found afloat in the sea, with the head of the squid in its stomach.

[Picture on page 16, 17]

Sperm whale