Little Known Facts Ambergris “Floating Gold of the Sea” Those who know me are aware of my twenty-five year passion for whales.  Living on South Padre Island and walking the beaches regularly, I am especially interested in the whales of the Gulf of Mexico. Although many people recognize that numerous species of dolphins inhabit the gulf, most are surprised when hearing that large whales also inhabit or visit these waters annually.  One of the most interesting of all is the giant sperm whale.  With current estimates exceeding 500 sperm  whales in  gulf waters, the chances of finding a rare piece of “ambergris” while beachcombing may be increased. The word ambergris is derived from the French “amber gris” or grey amber.  There is some evidence that the indigestible beaks of squid, the whales' favored food, irritate the digestive system, producing this raw waxy material that is ejected by sperm whales.  After being vomited out, the dark substance turns to light gray and hardens as it matures.  Sometimes washing ashore onto beaches after floating for years, it is highly valued for its unique fixative properties, especially by the perfume industry. In ancient pharmacopeias ambergris was touted to act directly on the hormonal system creating a seductive sense of smell.  Actually, because of its animal origin, ambergris contains pheromones. (Chemicals released by organisms into the environment, enabling communication between members of “like” species without physical contact). Louis XV is said to have used ambergris to flavor his favorite dishes and Queen Elizabeth I used it to perfume her gloves.  Today, pheromones are the subject of much research; everything from aphrodisiacs to insect control. With ambergris in high demand, greedy whalers went directly to the source of the “floating gold of the sea,” slaughtering even more sperm whales. Fortunately, with the decline of the whaling industry, synthesized compounds have helped fill the need for natural ambergris. South Padre Island has a lot of surfers who wax down their surf boards, consequently, pieces of processed wax are found periodically. Even small pieces of beeswax have been recovered along the coast; perhaps used for ship repairs in times past. But finding even a small lump of ambergris would be quite exciting and rare and make an interesting addition to any beachcomber's collection of sea treasures. If you believe you have found a piece, there are methods to help confirm the substance as ambergris.  These tests are available over the internet. Although in the United States, possession of any part of any endangered species, including ambergris that has washed ashore, is a violation of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, in reviewing the Definitions of The Act, section 3 #(2), refers to the term “commercial activity.” This means all activities of industry and trade, including, but not limited to, the buying or selling of commodities. Even though one small lump of ambergris found on the beach could hardly be construed as the buying or selling of it, interpretation of such Federal Laws can be difficult.  Because of this, it's always a good idea    to check out the information described in the Endangered Species Act of 1973, if you believe you have found any item on the seashore that may be in question.