Scientists from the University of St Andrews have captured the first-ever drone footage of sperm whales deliberately headbutting each other, confirming a behaviour long described in 19th-century mariner accounts and Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick.
The research, conducted between 2020 and 2022 in the Azores and Balearic islands, used drone technology to observe sub-adult whales engaging in head-to-head strikes. Lead author Dr Alec Burslem described the discovery as 'really exciting', noting that the behaviour had been hypothesised for a long time but never systematically documented.
The function of headbutting remains unclear, though theories include physical contests between whales, possibly occurring mostly underwater. The team hopes further observations will reveal why the behaviour evolved, given that using the head as a weapon could risk damage to vital structures.
Dr Burslem highlighted the transformative role of drone technology in wildlife biology, saying, 'It's exciting to think about what as-yet unseen behaviours we may soon uncover.' He also appealed for any similar footage from the public.
