Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Family Socializing

A close photograph of a family of sperm whales socializing with each other off the coast of East Africa , Indian Ocean. Sperm whales are known for their intelligence and complex social behavior. They have been observed exhibiting empathy, cooperation, and even cultural traditions, such as unique dialects of vocalizations that are passed down through generations. Social communication is important for maintaining the complex social structure of sperm whale populations. This social structure helps maintain order and cooperation within the group, and allows them to share resources such as food and protection.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Mauritius
Camera: ILCE-7RM5
Copyright: © Thien Nguyen Ngoc