Drones Capture Sub-Adult Sperm Whales Headbutting for the First Time
Drones recorded three headbutting incidents among sub-adult sperm whales off Spain and Portugal (Azores and Balearic Islands) between 2020–2022, marking the first video evidence of this behavior and challenging the idea that only adult males headbutt. The footage suggests rough play or social dynamics as young whales leave matriarchal groups, and researchers note that headbutting is unlikely to injure them. The study, published in Marine Mammal Science on March 23, 2026, highlights drone observations as a powerful tool in marine research and partly connects to sailors’ lore about whales sinking ships.
