Why Do Humpback Whales Have Barnacles?

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known for their distinct appearance and fascinating behaviours, but one aspect that often raises curiosity is the presence of barnacles on their bodies. These marine creatures have formed a unique relationship with humpback whales, creating an intriguing topic for exploration. Various factors contribute to the growth and attachment of barnacles…

Why Do Whales Travel in Groups – the Benefits of Pods

Whales are remarkable marine mammals known for their incredible size and fascinating social behaviour. One common aspect of their social lives is their tendency to move in groups, known as pods. This behaviour is observed across several whale species. Travelling in groups offers several benefits for whales, such as increased foraging efficiency, enhanced protection against…

Can Whales Drown?

Whales, as majestic and massive marine mammals, have captured the interest and fascination of people around the globe. Renowned for travelling great distances and exhibiting breathtaking acrobatic displays, these gentle giants hold an important place in marine ecosystems. One question that may arise in the minds of those curious about these creatures is whether or…

The Pygmy Right Whale is not Related to the True Right Whale

Because of its uniqueness, the evolutionary relationships of the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata) have long been debated. It is the smallest of the living baleen whales, with an unusual tank-like skeleton, and little is known of its ecology and behavior. Incorporating their findings with morphology and paleontology, an international team of researchers has now…

Southern Resident Orca Skin Disease On the Increase

Scientists studying the critically endangered southern resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) population have discovered a significant increase in the prevalence of skin disease. From 2004 to 2016, the researchers found there has been a steady increase in the occurrence of highly correlated gray patches and gray targets on the whales’ skin. The underlying cause is…

How Do Elephant Seals Sleep in the Ocean?

While elephant seals may spend up to ten hours per day sleeping on the beach during the breeding season, they only get two hours of sleep per day when they are out at sea on months-long foraging trips, new research reports. For the first time, researchers have captured the brain activity of a wild, free-ranging…

Beaked Whale Circovirus Identified In Dolphins And Whales Across Pacific

True’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus). Credit: Roland Edler CC-BY

Researchers at the University of Hawaii have found a new virus that could be fatal to whales and dolphins. A Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) that became stranded on Maui in 2010 was the only marine mammal to have the virus before it was found in 10 whale and dolphin host species across the Pacific.…

Krill Availability Influences Humpback Whale Pregnancies

Reduced krill supplies lead to fewer pregnancies in humpback whales, according to new collaborative research led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The finding could have major implications for industrial krill fishing. The research is based on eight years of data on humpback whale pregnancies (from 2013 to 2020) in the waters…

Which Whales Produce Ambergris And What Is It?

Short answer: only sperm whales. Long answer: keep reading. When walking along the beach, some objects might seem unusual because they are neither pebble nor shell nor seaweed. They can be covered with a soft white layer that looks a bit like cotton wool. They may appear hard or waxy, and sometimes have objects trapped…