Humpback whales may enjoy rolling around in seaweed as a form of play, but "kelping" could also help maintain their skin health by removing parasites and bacteria. Humpback whales frolicking in seaweed - a behavior known as "kelping" - is more widespread than previously thought and constitutes a "global phenomenon," new research has found.
Kelping was first observed in 2007, and scientists have described the behavior before - but only as isolated events. It turns out, humpbacks across the world enjoy the leafy caress of seaweed on their skin, both as a form of play and as a potentially soothing body scrub.
"It's something they do together as a social event or by themselves," study lead author Olaf Meynecke, a research fellow at Griffith University's Coastal and Marine Research Centre in Queensland, Australia, told Live Science. "They put the seaweed on their head and roll around in it; they try to move it around with their pectoral fins as well."
My Review of Our October 9th Offshore Whale-Watching Trip - Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Words cannot express how incredible today’s offshore trip was! As the owner of Jersey Shore Whale Watch, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience countless moments on the ocean, but today’s adventure was truly something special. We headed about 40 miles offshore into deeper waters, and what we encountered was beyond what any of us could have imagined.
Our day started early with a stunning sunrise over the ocean-an experience in itself. If you’ve never seen the sun come up while being far out at sea, it’s truly a sight to behold. The way the light dances off the calm waves, combined with the anticipation of what’s to come, is a feeling that never gets old. The ocean was remarkably calm, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. It was one of those days where you’re reminded how lucky we are to be out on the water.
We were hoping for some exciting encounters, but the reality far surpassed our expectations. Over the course of the trip, we saw **13 humpback whales**, including three mother-and-calf pairs. Witnessing the whales breach, slap their flippers, and wave their tails is always breathtaking, but having them come right up to the boat, close enough to hear the roar of their breaths, was absolutely surreal. That’s an experience that stays with you long after the trip is over.
21 окт 2024
