Whales jump out of the water, a behavior called breaching, to communicate, get rid of parasites, or simply to play.
Each year, several species of whales undertake long migrations, covering thousands of kilometers between their feeding areas located near the poles and their breeding grounds in the tropics. These journeys often follow specific routes passed down from generation to generation. During these migratory travels, whales usually swim continuously, sometimes taking breaks to rest, socialize, or care for their young calves. Some whales even make these journeys without feeding for long weeks, relying solely on the fat reserves accumulated in the preceding months. This migration requires great physical fitness and impressive navigational abilities that allow them to return to their favorite sites each year without GPS or nautical charts.
Jumping out of the water, or breaching, allows whales to examine their environment and orient themselves during their long migratory journey. It is also an effective way to get rid of parasites, such as barnacles or certain sea lice, that cling to their skin. This behavior also plays a social role: by loudly hitting the surface, whales communicate their position to nearby peers, thus strengthening group bonds. Finally, scientists believe they might breach simply to express their joy or excitement!
Some species, such as the humpback whale, are particularly known for their spectacular and energetic leaps, sometimes in succession. In contrast, the blue whale, although impressive in size, rarely breaches and does so in a much more subdued manner. The orcas, on the other hand, often perform quick and acrobatic jumps, sometimes even in groups, likely to communicate or hunt. For their part, sperm whales generally prefer to raise their bodies halfway out of the water before crashing down heavily, a behavior less common in other species. Each species thus has its own jumping identity, with varied styles depending on their size, morphology, and social habits.
Scientists observe whales using various techniques: onboard cameras, aerial observations, drones, and even sensors attached directly to their skin. Some researchers analyze the sounds and vibrations of breaching to understand how whales communicate with each other. Others monitor their heart rate and energy expenditure through these onboard devices. Regular observations also show that whales breach more when they migrate over long distances or when they are in groups. These breaches are often associated with particular moments such as weather changes or the presence of predators. Despite all these studies, we still do not know exactly why each whale decides to breach, but this research helps to better understand the biological and environmental factors that influence this spectacular behavior.
When a whale jumps, it participates in the mixing of nutrients in the oceans. Its impact upon landing on the surface helps to blend and redistribute essential nutrients. This directly benefits plankton, the primary base of the marine food chain. Furthermore, these spectacular leaps facilitate the removal of parasites that whales often carry. Indirectly, this improves their health, that of their group, and more broadly, the overall health of their marine ecosystem. Their noisy dives are also very useful for conveying important information within the group and even for warning other species of the presence of predators. In short, these jumps are not just spectacular to watch; they play a concrete and vital role in the underwater ecological balance.
Some studies show that jumping out of the water allows whales to save energy during long migrations by enabling them to breathe more efficiently and re-oxygenate their muscles.
An adult humpback whale can weigh nearly 40 tons; yet, it is able to leap completely out of the water thanks to the powerful propulsion of its tail, which can generate up to 500 horsepower in a single stroke!
Some whales can travel up to 25,000 kilometers each year during their migrations, which is equivalent to more than half the Earth's circumference!
It is estimated that the blue whale has the loudest sound among all living animals, reaching up to 188 decibels. These vocalizations can travel hundreds, even thousands of kilometers underwater!
Whales frequently breach during migration periods, but this behavior can also be observed at various times of the year for different reasons such as communication, hunting, or to get rid of parasites.
It is very rare for whales to directly cause accidents by breaching. However, as a safety measure, it is recommended that boats maintain a minimum distance defined by regulations in order to avoid disturbing or risking a collision with these large marine mammals.
Yes, it is widely accepted that young whales learn behaviors, including breaching, through mimicry by observing and imitating the adults in their group.
Scientists use various methods such as direct observations, photography, satellite tracking, and acoustic monitoring to study this behavior. They then analyze the contexts in which the jumps occur and the physical characteristics of the jumps to better understand their behavioral significance.
No, not all species necessarily jump. Some more active and social species, like humpback whales, jump frequently, while other species are less known for this behavior.
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