Toothed whales

Atlantic white-sided dolphins make surprising journeys across the ocean

/ / Whale Science / , ,

For the first time, scientists have documented Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Leucopleurus acutus) crossing the North Atlantic Ocean, revealing previously unknown long-distance movements and identifying a key feeding area in the Irminger Sea between Greenland and Iceland. A journey across an ocean Researchers used satellite tags to follow 23 dolphins tagged in the Faroe Islands and […]

Atlantic white-sided dolphins make surprising journeys across the ocean Read More »

Fraser’s dolphins in the Caribbean: Social island hoppers

/ / Whale Science / , ,

New study from the Caribbean Cetacean Society reveals that one of the ocean’s least-studied dolphins has found a stronghold in the island chain stretching from Grenada to Anguilla Have you heard of Fraser’s dolphins? Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) wasn’t formally described until 1956, and scientists didn’t actually see one alive in the wild until 1971.

Fraser’s dolphins in the Caribbean: Social island hoppers Read More »

Can Whales Smell? The Surprising World of Cetacean Olfaction

/ / Whale Science / , ,

If you’ve ever witnessed a whale’s powerful exhalation at the surface, you’ve likely experienced the notorious “whale breath”, that pungent cloud that can clear a whale-watching boat deck in seconds. But while humans can certainly detect these oceanic odors, the question remains: Can whales themselves smell? The answer is more complex than you might expect,

Can Whales Smell? The Surprising World of Cetacean Olfaction Read More »

New Genome Assembly Approach Unlocks Secrets of Critically Endangered Dolphins in New Zealand

/ / Whale Science / ,

Scientists have successfully assembled the first high-quality reference genomes for New Zealand’s Hector’s and critically endangered Māui dolphins, despite working with degraded DNA samples. The new study reveals these dolphins have maintained small populations for thousands of years, with Māui dolphins showing 40% lower genetic diversity than their Hector’s cousins. The innovative genome assembly approach

New Genome Assembly Approach Unlocks Secrets of Critically Endangered Dolphins in New Zealand Read More »

Eyes in the Sky: Drones Transform Sperm Whale Research

/ / Whale Science / , ,

Traditional sperm whale identification has long relied on photographing tail flukes from boats, capturing the distinctive notches and patterns that make each whale unique. However this method has a significant limitation: researchers can only identify whales when they perform their characteristic deep dive, raising their tails above the surface. Now, drone technology is opening new

Eyes in the Sky: Drones Transform Sperm Whale Research Read More »

Meet the Australian Snubfin Dolphin – An Edemic and Threatened Species

/ / Whale of the Month / , , ,

The Australian snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni) is one of Australia’s only endemic dolphin species, identified as a new species in 2005. This small dolphin is adorable, but it faces conservation threats due to its small population and coastal habitat preference. So this month, let’s celebrate the Australian snubfin dolphin and the 25th Biennial Conference on

Meet the Australian Snubfin Dolphin – An Edemic and Threatened Species Read More »

Can Whales Eat and Swallow Humans?

/ / Whale Science / , , ,

Whales are unlikely to swallow humans due to their anatomy and behavior. Baleen whales, with small esophagi, filter-feed on tiny prey, while toothed whales have larger throats but do not treat humans as prey. Encounters are generally non-aggressive and driven by curiosity. Historical anecdotes and myths exaggerate these possibilities.

Can Whales Eat and Swallow Humans? Read More »

Ramari’s beaked whale, a mysterious discovery

/ / Whale of the Month / , ,

Humans know more about space than the ocean. In 2011, a pregnant beaked whale named Nihongore stranded in New Zealand, initially thought to be a True’s beaked whale. DNA and skull analyses revealed it was a new species, Ramari’s beaked whale, named after Māori whale expert Ramari Stewart, highlighting Indigenous contributions to whale science.

Ramari’s beaked whale, a mysterious discovery Read More »

Whales and Dolphins Uniting for Survival, Bounty, or Companionship?

/ / Whale Science / , ,

Cetaceans like whales, dolphins, and porpoises form interspecies associations for predator deterrence, predator avoidance, foraging, and socialization. These behaviors can involve thousands in a pod, with practices like coordinated feeding and shifts for vigilance against predators. Such alliances may also have aspects like alloparenting and possible interspecies communication, showcasing complex social dynamics and cooperative strategies among different species within the marine environment.

Whales and Dolphins Uniting for Survival, Bounty, or Companionship? Read More »