Humpback whale vs Sperm whale
Humpback whale vs sperm whale
Sperm whale is larger on weight
Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×.
A humpback whale and a sperm whale can be compared on 3 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.
Side by side
| Humpback whale | Sperm whale | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–40 t | 15–57 t |
| Length | 12–17 m | 11–20.5 m |
| Typical lifespan | 45–100 yr | 60–70 yr |
What the numbers say
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×.
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.1×.
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.
Weight compared.
Sperm whale 15–57 t
Humpback whale 25–40 t
Humpback whale
A baleen whale known for breaching, long complex songs, and pectoral fins a third of its body length.
Sperm whale
The largest toothed predator, diving to 2,000 m for squid and producing the loudest sound of any animal.
This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.
Common questions
- Which is bigger, humpback whale or sperm whale?
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
- How do humpback whales and sperm whales compare on length?
- Humpback whale: 12–17 m. Sperm whale: 11–20.5 m. Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.1×.
- How do humpback whales and sperm whales compare on typical lifespan?
- Humpback whale: 45–100 yr. Sperm whale: 60–70 yr. Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.
Related pages
Sources
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))