Chapter 1: The Enigmatic Sperm Whale

In my recent publication, Becoming Wild, which delves into the cultures of free-living animals, a reader brought an intriguing perspective to my attention. He pointed out an interesting nuance regarding sperm whales.

I previously mentioned that "sperm whales were believed to be silent until 1957, when researchers first detailed their sonar capabilities. Whale hunters were unaware of the clicking sounds emitted by these whales."

Before I dive into the reader's correction, it’s worth noting that he referred to sperm whales as "Cachalot," an old alternative name that's rarely used today. He argues that “sperm whale” is one of the most misnomered titles in history, and I must agree. This perspective aligns with my thoughts shared in the essay.

The reader further elaborated, “Actually, the whalers of the wooden ship era did hear the sounds of the Cachalot — they simply misidentified them. The noises were attributed to ‘Carpenter Fish,’ as the echo-locating clicks of the Cachalot resembled the sound of a carpenter hammering.”

It seems we both hold valid points. While whale hunters did perceive these creatures as silent, if I had been aware of the "carpenter fish" concept, I would have certainly included it in my book. Thus, it is accurate to state that sperm whales were long assumed to be silent, yet they were indeed heard, albeit misidentified.

As for the rather absurd name “sperm whale,” I expressed the following in Becoming Wild:

Whalers assigned some rather unfortunate names to these animals, and scientists have clung to them despite their absurdity. For example, the creature called the "fin whale" is merely one among many fin-bearing species. The "humpback" lacks a distinctly humped back but possesses the longest pectoral flippers of any whale, potentially earning the title of the long-winged whale. The “right whale” was deemed the most suitable target for hunting due to its buoyancy. This was a time before engines and harpoon guns rendered any whale a viable target, regardless of the ethics involved. Isn’t it time we found a more appropriate name for this still-endangered species?

Lastly, we have the sperm whale, named for its head being filled with a substance reminiscent of semen — a gross misunderstanding of its sound production capabilities. Another term for this whale, "cachalot," derives from the Portuguese word cachola, meaning head. One might wonder if, through accident or clever wordplay, English-speaking whalers transformed this foreign term into “catch-a-lot.” We have the “right whale” to hunt and a sperm whale to “catch-a-lot.” The nomenclature reflects more about human perceptions than about the whales themselves.

Chapter 2: Misheard Sounds and Their Implications

In the video titled "WEIRD Misheard Lyrics!" we explore how misinterpretations can occur not only in music but also in the natural world, such as the sounds produced by whales.

The second video, "Country Misheard Lyrics!" highlights further examples of how misunderstandings can shape our perception of reality, similar to how the sounds of sperm whales have been misidentified throughout history.