Sperm whales avoid foraging first thing in the morning, underwater robots reveal

Endangered sperm whales are less likely to forage for food at dawn in some areas of the Mediterranean, underwater robotic equipment has revealed. The study, published today in the Endangered Species Research, focused on the extremely powerful and highly directional 'usual clicks' produced while foraging The study shows how glider missions can monitor the Mediterranean sperm whale over the winter months, for which there is a lack of crucial data for conservation. 'Information on the ecology of the Mediterranean sperm whale subpopulation remains sparse and does not meet the needs of conservation managers and policy-makers,' said study lead author Pierre Cauchy at the University of East Anglia. The research, led by the University of East Anglia, has revealed the daily habits of the endangered Mediterranean sperm whale in parts of the Med 'The clear daily pattern identified in our results appear to suggest that the sperm whales are adapting their foraging strategy to local prey behaviour. 'For example several species of squid, a major prey item for sperm whales, move closer to the surface at night and stay deeper during the day,' co-author Dr Denise Risch from the Scottish Association for Marine Science told MailOnline For example, fronts – sharp spatial gradients between two distinct water masses – can aggregate plankton, which in turn attract fish and their predators.