 The sharp beak of a consumed squid lodged in the whale 's intestine may lead to the production of ambergris , analogous to the production of pearls . The irritation of the intestines caused by squid beaks stimulates the secretion of this lubricant @-@ like substance . Sperm whales are prodigious feeders and eat around 3 % of their body weight per day . The total annual consumption of prey by sperm whales worldwide is estimated to be about 91 million tonnes ( 100 million short tons ) . In comparison , human consumption of seafood is estimated to be 115 million tonnes ( 127 million short tons ) . 
