New research reveals that killer whales, the ocean’s top predators, show strong avoidance responses when they hear pilot whales, similar to how they react to military sonar. For years, researchers have observed a puzzling interaction in the North Atlantic. When long-finned pilot whales encounter killer whales, they do not flee. They charge. In Iceland, groups […]
Killer whales flee at the sound of pilot whales Read More »
New research shows that humpback whales’ oversized, wing-like flippers give them unmatched agility among baleen whales, enabling their unique bubble-net feeding strategy that traps prey with tight, high-speed spirals of bubbles. Whales, like planes, are built for efficiency in a fluid medium. Both possess long, streamlined bodies: some sleek like private jets, others stockier like
The Secret to Humpback Whales’ Bubble-Net Feeding: It’s All in the Flippers Read More »
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 »
Each year, the world’s largest mammals embark on epic journeys spanning thousands of miles across the planet’s oceans. However, large whales aren’t just impressive travelers – they’re also operating what scientists have called “the Great Whale Conveyor Belt,” the largest long-distance nutrient transport on Earth. An exciting study just published in Nature Communications has quantified
The Great Whale Conveyor Belt: Earth’s Largest Mammals Keep Oceans Thriving Read More »
Imagine being a humpback whale mom-to-be. You have been pregnant for 10 months. Your 2600-pound calf is due in just four to six weeks. Over the summer and fall, you have consumed as much food as possible, preparing for the journey ahead. Soon, you will embark on a 3000-mile migration south to the Hawaiian breeding
Super-sized Sacrifice: The Enormous Costs of Being a Humpback Whale Mom Read More »
Marine mammals are difficult for scientists to study; they spend most or all of their lives in and around water habitats. Because of their vastness (hundreds of thousands of square kilometers) and depth (thousands of meters), marine mammal habitats are difficult for humans to access and explore. Cetaceans – whales, dolphin, and porpoises – spend
How To Study The Deepest Diving Whales? Use Chemistry! Read More »
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 »
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 »
Plasticizers added to plastics give them their properties, but these chemicals can leach into the oceans and harm marine life. Recent studies found plastic chemicals in marine mammals in Norway, raising concerns about their prevalence and impact. To help, reduce plastic use, recycle, and support policies to ban harmful chemicals and protect ocean creatures.
Toxic chemicals from plastics found in Norwegian marine mammals Read More »
Vibrissae, or whiskers, are found in most mammals, including cetaceans like dolphins, whales, and porpoises. These were likely inherited from terrestrial ancestors, serving as sensory organs during these species’ evolution from land to water. While in many cetaceans, whiskers disappear as they mature, leaving behind small cavities termed ‘vibrissal crypts’, certain species, such as the Amazon river dolphin, retain them, helping in food detection and possibly electroreception.
Why are baby whales and dolphins born with whiskers? Read More »
