Gem and Ornamental

64 GEM3 AND ORNAMZNTAL MATBECIAZS OF ORGANIC ORIGINFigure 3.4 Letteropener. Sperm whalem.A male can grow to 16 metres md weigh up to 44 tonne8 when fullymature, while a female is u ~ dIws y thm 11 rn- long, and muchlighter. The new-born calves weigh 1 tonne. Females reach maturiyat 45 years, and only dve every he years.Sperm whales have 2&25 peg-hped teeth on each side of the lowerjaw only, those of the upper jaw remolining undeveloped. The teethemerge late, and in some females never emerge at all. They can growto around 25 centimems in length and weigh more than 1 kilogram.The orca, Orcirnrs mca, though commonly called the lciller whale, isnot in hct a whale but is the largest of the dolphins. It is easily recognisedby its verg distinctive black and white markings. It prefers coldseas, especially the polar regions, but it will venture fimher afield. Itis much smaller than the sperm whale but is greatly feared by othercetaceans and sea animals as it is a versatile predator, attacking