Rare White Sperm Whale Spotted Near Jamaica
If you are a fan of literary works based on sea life, you may know the classic novel Moby Dick, which depicted a rare white sperm whale. Recently, a similar whale was sighted off the coast of Jamaica.
A Lucky Sighting
Thanks to mobile technology, Dutch oil tanker captain Leo Van Toly was able to capture this extraordinary moment on his phone. Although the video was brief, it showed the rare white sperm whale near the water’s surface.
Expert Confirmation
The captain shared the footage with Annemarie van de Berg, director of SOS Dolfijn, an organization dedicated to whale conservation. Experts quickly confirmed that the whale in the video was indeed a rare white sperm whale, and the clip was shared widely on social media.
The Science Behind the Color
White sperm whales are extremely rare. Their coloration is caused by a medical condition, either albinism or leucism, which prevents the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the typical gray color of most whales.
Historical Context
While Herman Melville’s Moby Dick was fictional, white sperm whales are real, albeit exceptionally elusive. The last recorded sighting of a white male sperm whale was in 2015, highlighting how rarely these magnificent creatures are observed in the wild.
Significance
For whale enthusiasts and marine biologists alike, this sighting was a remarkable event. White sperm whales remain difficult to study due to their rarity and natural ability to stay hidden, making every sighting a valuable contribution to science.
