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22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sperm whale breastfeeding

In this picture we see a calf sperm whale (called “Chopstick”) inserting the lower jaw for sucking milk from the breast of her mother (called “Can opener”). Mothers and calves form strong relations, even though the baby calves are raised with the help of “babysitters”, which often are sisters of the mother or younger sisters of the calf. The social structure of the sperm whale, which has the largest brain of any creature, is complex and fascinating.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2022
Date Uploaded: 10.2024
Photo Location: Dominica
Camera: ILCE-7RM4
Copyright: © Franco Banfi