Rare up close footage captures sperm whale as it circles ROV 2000m below sea level

The Nautilus Live project streams live footage of its expeditions to create better understanding of deep sea life

The Sperm Whale was caught on camera last week during a Nautilus Live expedition (Nautilus Live)

Researchers in the Gulf of Mexico were treated to a rare show last week, when a sperm whale came within metres of the team’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as it explored the ocean’s depths.

A group of scientists from Nautilus Live’s underwater expedition team were filming on their Hercules ROV at nearly 2000m below sea level when the massive mammal approached.

One of the scientists can be heard asking at one point, “Does this count as a selfie?”

The Nautilus Live project streams live footage of its expeditions online in a bid to create better understanding of how life forms and develops at depths around tectonic plates.

According to a Nautilus Live spokesman, none of their expeditions so far have managed to capture a sperm whale at such close quarters.