Sydney
Whale Science

Whale Behaviour

Throughout the cetacean breeding season, male displays such as slapping the water surface with their pectoral fins and tail or breaching typically serve as demonstrations of strength. These behaviours are employed to attract females and deter potential competitors, showcasing the males’ vigour and dominance in the mating arena.

Let’s take a closer look at types of humpback whale behaviour.

Whale Breaching

Breaching whales are an awe-inspiring sight. These majestic creatures, with their imposing size and remarkable acrobatics, never fail to captivate our imagination. Breaching, where a whale propels itself out of the water and crashes back down with a thunderous splash, is a particularly striking display of their prowess. While breaching may appear random, scientists have uncovered several potential explanations for why whales engage in this impressive behaviour.

Humpback Whale Spotting

Humpack Whale Spy Hop

During a head rise or spy hop, a whale elevates vertically out of the water, often with its head above the surface. This behaviour allows the whale to survey its surroundings and observe what’s happening above the waterline. It allows us to get an amazing view of the nobbly barnacle encrusted Humpback Whale head.

Whale Tail Slapping

Tail slapping is a striking behaviour where a whale positions itself vertically, head down, and lifts its peduncle out of the water to repeatedly strike the surface with its tail, creating a resounding splash that can be heard over considerable distances. This behaviour is commonly observed just before individuals form groups or when these groups are about to disperse. The noise generated by tail slapping appears to aid in facilitating or regulating these interactions among whales.

According to one hypothesis, tail slapping might serve as an antagonistic behaviour during interactions between competing groups of whales. For instance, when multiple males vie for the attention of a female, tail swipes may be used to fend off rivals. Interestingly, females and calves have also been observed engaging in whale tail slapping, even in the absence of nearby males. This behaviour could potentially serve as a form of playful imitation of their elders or simply as a means of enjoying themselves in the lively waters.

A particularly surprising yet plausible hypothesis suggests that tail slapping could be a feeding technique in southern waters. The thunderous noises produced by the whale’s tail are believed to startle nearby prey, causing them to gather in tighter groups. This behaviour makes it easier for the whale to engulf large, calorie-rich mouthfuls of prey.

Whale Peduncle Throw

Whale Tail Sailing

Offshore, a whale’s tail protrudes above the water surface, remaining motionless for minutes on end. There’s no cause for alarm! This behaviour, known as tail sailing, is an unusual posture but not abnormal.

Tail sailing is often observed in female whales accompanied by their calves and can persist for anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. In some instances, scientists have reported whales maintaining this position for as long as ten hours!

Humpback Whale Tail Slap

Whale Flipper Slap

Humpback Whale Breeding Season

How Long Do Whales Surface?

Humpback whales lack the ability to breathe underwater, but they excel at holding their breath. They resurface approximately every 7 to 20 minutes to take in a fresh breath of air expelling a huge blow that can be many meters tall and visible for quite a distance. During these surfaces, they often engage in acrobatic stunts, possibly as a means of communication. Overall, humpback whales spend roughly 10% of their time at the surface, where they showcase their remarkable behaviours.

Whale Migration

Humpback whales undertake biannual migrations between Antarctic cold-water feeding grounds and tropical mating and calving areas. This cyclical migration pattern allows them to optimise feeding in nutrient-rich polar waters and reproduce in warmer, sheltered regions. The primary driver of this migration is food availability in the south and mating and calving in the north, though factors such as water temperature, salinity, and predator presence also play a role. While polar waters offer abundant food, they also attract large predators like killer whales, posing a threat to young calves. To safeguard their vulnerable offspring, humpbacks migrate to food-scarce subtropical waters during the early months of life. A helpful mnemonic to remember this pattern is “summer-feeding, winter-breeding.”

Why Male Whales Sing?

Humpback whales are akin to opera singers of the ocean. Scientists have unveiled their remarkable ability to produce long and intricate “songs,” lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, which can be repeated for hours on end. In the Australian East Coast population, all whales sing the same song, creating a unique and shared melody.
However, whales from other populations sing distinctly different songs, with each song evolving slightly every year. It’s as if they each have their own hit chart! Remarkably, only male whales participate in this vocal performance, suggesting that these songs may play a role in mating rituals and attracting potential mates.
Males are renowned for their ability to sing complex songs, adding another layer to the fascinating repertoire of humpback whale behaviours.