Sperm Whale Lesions and Wounds
Wounds
Photo Credit: Nature picture library (naturepl.com)
Healed Scars
Photo Credit: Capt Wendall Ettienne
Fig. 25 in Hanninger, E. M., Selling, J., Heyer, K., & BURKHARDTHOLM, P. (2023). Skin conditions, epizoa, ectoparasites and emaciation in cetaceans in the Strait of Gibraltar: An update for the period 2016-2020. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management, 24.
Parasites/Remora
Photo Credit: Nature picture library (naturepl.com)
Reported on sperm whales in Hermosilla, C., Silva, L. M., Prieto, R., Kleinertz, S., Taubert, A., & Silva, M. A. (2015). Endo-and ectoparasites of large whales (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae, Physeteridae): Overcoming difficulties in obtaining appropriate samples by non-and minimally-invasive methods. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 4(3), 414-420.
By NOAA Photo Library - https://www.flickr.com/photos/noaaphotolib/5019926801/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14659567
Reported on sperm whales in Hermosilla, C., Silva, L. M., Prieto, R., Kleinertz, S., Taubert, A., & Silva, M. A. (2015). Endo-and ectoparasites of large whales (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae, Physeteridae): Overcoming difficulties in obtaining appropriate samples by non-and minimally-invasive methods. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 4(3), 414-420.
By Aleria Jensen, NOAA/NMFS/AKFSC. - NOAA Photo Library: anim1032, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17968016
Entanglements
Photo credit: Capt. Wendall Ettienne
Lesions
Fig 3. Van Bressem, M., Minton, G., Sutaria, D., Kelkar, N., Peter, C., Zulkarnaen, M., Mansur, R.M., Porter, L., Vargas, L.F., & Rajamani, L. (2014). Cutaneous nodules in Irrawaddy dolphins: an emerging disease in vulnerable populations. Diseases of aquatic organisms,107 3, 181-9 .
Photo Credit: FAU HBOI Stranding Team
Fig 4 Van Bressem, M. F., Van Waerebeek, K., & Duignan, P. J. (2022). Tattoo skin disease in Cetacea: a review, with new cases for the northeast pacific. Animals, 12(24), 3581.
Fig 8 in Hanninger, E. M., Selling, J., Heyer, K., & BURKHARDTHOLM, P. (2023). Skin conditions, epizoa, ectoparasites and emaciation in cetaceans in the Strait of Gibraltar: An update for the period 2016-2020. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management, 24.
Emaciation/Body Condition
- Dip behind the head
- Ribs visible
- Concavity on either side of the dorsal fin
Photo Credit: FAU HBOI Stranding Team and bbc.com/news/uk-wales-65601546
Normal Sperm Whale Features
- Wrinkled Skin
- White Pigment around the mouth
- Occasional white pigmented areas on the ventral side or belly
- Small pectoral flippers that tuck close to the body
- Thick Tail Stock
- Slightly protruding bony area around the eye
Photo Credit: FAU HBOI Stranding Team
Photo credit: Capt. Wendall Ettienne
Fig. 1 in Hanninger, E. M., Selling, J., Heyer, K., & BURKHARDTHOLM, P. (2023). Skin conditions, epizoa, ectoparasites and emaciation in cetaceans in the Strait of Gibraltar: An update for the period 2016-2020. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management, 24.