A sperm whale produces powerful clicks for echolocation. These broadband pulses are generated in the animal’s nasal complex and directed through the front of the head.
The clicks help a sperm whale investigate its surroundings and locate prey in the dark ocean, including deep-water squid. A sequence of clicks is often called a click train. The timing and returning echoes provide information about distance, direction, and the physical features of a target.
Sperm whales are famous for having exceptionally large heads, which contain the spermaceti organ and other specialized nasal structures involved in sound production and focusing. Their clicks are among the loudest sounds made by any animal.
A common mistake is to call every whale sound a song. Humpback whales are especially associated with songs, while sperm whales are particularly associated with echolocation clicks. Sperm whales also make other sounds, including social codas, but clicks are the canonical answer for their biosonar pulses.