Science
Scientists Baffled As Humpback Whales Gather In Massive Unexplained Groups
Only the whales are aware that the world is ending. That’s one explanation, anyway. Scientists used to refer to humpback whale groups of 10 to 20 as “large” because they are typically very solitary. They are now gathering off the coast of South Africa in groups of 20 to 200. Experts are at a loss as of yet, but something is undoubtedly happening here.
Actually, that area isn’t where humpback whales should be congregating in the first place. During this time of year, humpbacks usually graze in the frigid waters of Antarctica, but they come up to tropical regions to reproduce. However, these super-pods—not to be confused with super PACs, which are equally huge but far more dangerous—are still being spotted by scientific expeditions. They were eventually assembled and published in the journal PLOSone at the beginning of March. Although they don’t yet have definitive answers, the researchers have a few theories as to why the humpbacks are organising. As of right now, everyone seems to agree that this is really strange.
The topic of whether the western coast of South Africa is the tween whale equivalent of the local mall is raised by the fact that the majority of the whales appear to be young. All they want is a fishy Orange Julius or maybe a Panda Express with krill to spend a Saturday afternoon. Because 200 whales, each weighing roughly 65,000 pounds, can’t just feed anyplace.
Whale gatherings typically signal very fruitful areas of the ocean. To sustain that many humpbacks, there must be a high concentration of prey. Indeed, the term “prey” may seem odd for a species that is recognised for its song and friendliness towards other animals. It is important to remember that humpback whales seek for food. They don’t follow vegetarianism. Whether they speak whale or not, they consume anything from small fish to plankton to krill. They even have a unique hunting technique where they band together to try to consume schools of fish all at once. We refer to it as bubble net feeding. The humpbacks split up, with some blowing air and others swirling around a school of fish. This allows the circling whales to push their prey into a bubble net. The fish are trapped inside because they are confused, but when one whale calls, they all rush in, their mouths wide open, swimming upward through the throng of fish.
Humpbacks can do a similar manoeuvre on their own since they spend a lot of time alone. Furthermore, some humpbacks aren’t even familiar with bubble net feeding. It is a learnt behaviour rather than an innate one. While some pods are capable of doing so, others are not. Dolphins hunt similarly, cramming schools of fish into a tiny space and then alternating between them as they dart through to feed. Furthermore, humpbacks have been observed swimming alongside and interacting with bottlenose dolphins, suggesting that there may be a significant information exchange occurring in the oceans that we are not aware of.
No one really knows why there are so many of these massive whale groups, but it seems obvious that they are there, at least in part, for feeding. Since it appears to be a very recent phenomena that has just occurred in the last five years or so, it is possible that growing whale populations are making it possible for these hordes to breathe freely. Approximately 90% of humpbacks were hunted down at one point, but since 1996, when they were designated as a protected species, their numbers have increased. Perhaps humpbacks were always this gregarious and we simply didn’t see enough of them.
Or perhaps they simply weren’t operating in visible locations. Even though their songs may be heard from 20 miles away, humans probably wouldn’t see or hear hundreds of whales congregating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, even if no one is around to hear a whale sing in the ocean, it still makes a sound.
Maybe they’re attempting to communicate with us, We may be misinterpreting the whales’ message as an adorable, smart trick, similar to the dolphins‘ double-backward somersault through a hoop while whistling the Star Spangled Banner. Perhaps—just possibly—the whales have had enough of the rising waters and warmer oceans. To give a farewell message and express gratitude for all the krill, they have gathered as many juvenile humpbacks as they can. Or perhaps they are speaking to a massive spacecraft. Who knows?
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