2010-01-27

Sperm Whale Washed Up In Northumberland Dies

The sperm whale which recently became stranded on rocks near Seahouses, Northumberland has now died. The whale, which measured around 10m in length, is thought to have dehydrated after getting lost in the North Sea (which is not the normal habitat for this usually deep-sea species).

Whales get most of their water from their food, hence if there is no prey for them (sperm whales feed mainly on deep sea schooling squid) they tend to become dehydrated. The whale was eventually washed ashore in the waters around Beadnall Bay on Monday 25th January. A post mortem examination will now be carried out by a specialist vet in an attempt to discover the exact cause of death.

Sperm whales can reach up to 18m in length and are found in all of the world’s oceans.