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Sperm whale
biting - Whales and
whaling pictures - 9
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Sperm
whales were feared for their jaw filled with huge strong teeth and
right whales were feared for their tails which they could use to
smash a small whaling boat to pieces.
Sperm whales use their jaw from what seems an
unusual upside-down position, but by doing this they are better
able to reach their target as the large top side of their head
would mean that it would be difficult to lift themselves out of
the water for a bite. Sperm whales only have teeth in the lower
jaw, the upper jaw has sockets to receive the teeth when the mouth
is closed.
An engraving from "The
cruise of the Cachalot" |
The
whaling gallery is a collection of images from a
whole range of sources. It is intended to inform
and illustrate a now (thankfully) vanished occupation and way of life that for the men
so engaged was hard and often
dangerous. It is intended for historical interest rather than a commentary on the ethics of whaling. |
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