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Birthplace of the

Giants

Premieres On Nat Geo Wild Sunday June 7, 2015, 8:30pm AEST, 6:30pm AWST

The Expedition Log is live with new video blogs and whale information uploaded daily.

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Humpback Whale

Biology

and Behaviour

"In calm and beautifully clear coastal water, the bodies of white patterned humpback whales glow beautifully as gorgeous turquoise hues while they migrate just beneath the surface."

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The Tail

A humpback's tail is the powerhouse that propels it through the water. The tail and two lobes either side, called flukes, are positioned horizontally and move up and down 1 . Sharks and other fish have vertical tails that propel them forwards with a side-to-side motion 2 . A whale's tail is also its most powerful weapon and can be used effectively against predators, such as sharks and killer whales.

Read more...

Photo-identification data requires three photos of each whale: the tail fluke, left dorsal fin and right dorsal fin. This process is not unlike the three mug shots police take to identify suspects. Long-term photographic identification is a tool used for comparison both within and between research seasons. This allows scientists to match individuals and produce population estimates 4 . Matching images and finding the same whale twice is called a 're-sight' and provides vital data about area usage. In this way we can identify critical habitats, such as resting areas or calving grounds 5 and recommend they be set aside as marine protected areas, like Camden Sound Marine Park.

The Dorsal Fin

A humpback whale's dorsal fin is positioned two thirds of the way along its back and provides a stabilising effect while swimming 1 . This is particularly beneficial for its extensive migrations, helping to reduce the amount of energy required to travel these long distances.

Read more...

Each humpback whale has a distinctive and uniquely shaped dorsal fin. When scientists work with a pod a name is given to each of its members, usually based on the shape of its dorsal fin, which is easily visible as the whale surfaces. Humpbacks are so-called because of the distinct fleshy ‘step’ located in front of its dorsal fin 2 .

The humpback whale dorsal fin is a unique structure. There are no bones in the fin, it is fleshy but is stiffened by connective tissue 10 . Pregnant females appear to have extra flesh in the step in front of the dorsal and in a lump behind the blowholes.

Killer whales, or orca, are apex ocean predators that hunt in packs of 12-15 animals to target individual whales. These include blue whales, fin whales, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales, as well as many species of dolphins, porpoises, seals and sealions 3 . Over the last few years off the coast of Western Australia, particularly in the Exmouth region 4 , attacks by killer whales on humpbacks have targeted very young calves 4 . Killer whales will also attach their large peg-like teeth to the trailing edge and tips of a whale’s tail flukes. By slowing it down and harassing it the orcas attempt to drown the whale.

In the past, on Australia's east coast, a unique relationship existed between the Davidson family, who were whalers, and killer whales, especially one they named 'Old Tom'. The orcas helped the Davidsons find the humpbacks and in return Old Tom and his pod received the first spoils - the humpback whale’s tongue 5 .

Barnacles are 'sessile' filter-feeders. This means they attach themselves to a surface with their head – it could be a rock or just as easily a passing whale - and then hang their legs in the current to feed. "Bristle-like" cirri are extended into the surrounding water flow 7 where they collect plankton, including both small plants (phytoplankton) and small animals (zooplankton). Barnacles are one of several ectoparasites that attach to the rough, knobby skin of humpback whales. In cold water humpbacks are infested with up to half a tonne of acorn and gooseneck barnacles, most of which tend to drop off as the whales move into warmer water 8 .

Whales can use barnacles as weapons. During fights, as the whales collide with each other, the razor–sharp barnacles attached to their skin inflict wounds on their opponents. It’s an unusual relationship, perhaps symbiotic, and each member profits. Whale lice, Cyamis boopis, are tiny crustaceans that replace barnacles once humpback whales reach warmer seas. They inhabit the corners of a whale's mouth and along its lips 8 . Sick and injured humpbacks can become entirely infested with these pink, star-like crab relatives.

The Blowhole

Humpback whales breathe through what is known scientifically as a 'diagnostic paired blowhole', positioned on the topside or dorsal surface of their bodies. With each breath air is expelled and almost instantaneously inhaled, creating a very efficient exchange of oxygen.

Read more...

When whales exhale, their warm breath condenses as it hits the cooler surrounding air. This creates a tell tale ‘blow’ through their 2 nostrils, or nares, that can rise up to 3 metres into the air 1 .

Whale researchers scan the horizon for these blows as they search for whales. Water often laps over the fleshy splashguard located in front of the two blowholes and is vapourised along with the condensation and mucus from within the lungs, making the blow even more visible.

The lung capacity of humpbacks is enormous; they can inhale almost 7,500 litres of air in a single breath. Their lungs are also very efficient, they exchange up to 90% of their lung capacity 2 . Humans only exchange up to 13% 3 .

Humpback whales store oxygen in their muscles, enabling them to stay submerged for up to an hour and dive to depths of 240 metres 4 . However, humpback whale statistics pale in comparison with sperm whales. Sperm whales can dive to 3000 metres, staying underwater for over 2 hours 5 .

The Ventral Pleats

Humpback whales belong to the group of whales classified as rorquals 1 . The word rorqual is Scandinavian and means 'furrow whale'. This is a direct reference to the large skin folds situated on its underside and extending from the mouth to the belly. Humpback whales have 12 - 30 of these throat grooves, or ventral pleats 2 .

Read more...

Although humpback whales are classified as rorqual whales due to the presence of the characteristic ventral pleats, they are more robust and rotund than the other more slender rorqual whales. The ventral pleats allow the mouth to expand during feeding so it can gulp vast mouthfuls of krill 4 . The humpback's enormous mouth, or buccal cavity, is up to two-thirds the length of its body 5 .

Humpback whale songs are the most complex in the animal kingdom 7 . The process by which a humpback produces sound and song is still unknown, but ongoing research has given scientists more understanding 8 . Humpbacks possess a larynx but don't have vocal chords. Some researchers have compared a human larynx with that of a humpback calf. The study determined that these two organs were not dissimilar and that a humpback's larynx was indeed capable of sound production. It's believed that sound may be produced when air flowing from the larynx passes the u-fold, which is aligned parallel to the airflow. Vibrations are caused within the air column inside the larynx, or the laryngeal sac. The vibrating air could then create pressure changes that are transferred through surrounding tissue into the water.

The Chin Plates

Humpback whales have knob-like protuberances on their heads, or rostrums. In fact, at one time their English name was the knucklehead whale 1 .

Read more...

These lumps are called sensory tubercles 3 . and are sensory nodes, each with a single central hair cell measuring about one and a half centimetres long. It's thought that the sensory tubercles could be involved in assessing water temperature and quality.

The Pectoral Fin

A humpback whale’s long, highly mobile pectoral fins are this species' main distinguishing feature. They are up to one third of the animal’s body length and in some are almost 5 metres long 1 .

Read more...

Humpback whales possess the longest pectoral fins of all the great whales and because of this have been classified in their own Genus, Megaptera.

Humpback pectoral fins have swellings on the leading edge called phalangic bumps. Although their function is not entirely understood, research indicates they give the fins special hydrodynamic properties, aiding movement through the water by providing better control and manoeuverability 2 . Pectoral fins provide steerage and allow humpback whales to 'fly' underwater.

Humpback whales use their pectoral fins in many different ways, and the context within which displays are exhibited often gives clues to the purpose. For example, gentle caressing between a cow and calf indicates nurturing, while swinging wildly towards another whale is an aggressive behaviour.

Like tail flukes, pectoral fins can be used as a weapon against lurking predators 3 . Humpbacks also use their pectoral fins in fights between bull whales when competing for available females. Some whales, with extensively damaged tails, have been observed using their pectoral fins like oars - literally rowing themselves through the water.

The pectoral fin contains similar bones to those found in human arms 4 . In fact, the humerus, radius and ulna bones are present in cetaceans, just as they are in the forelimbs of most other mammals. Slight changes include the shortening and widening of these three bones, while the elbow lies flush with the body and the upper arm. Another difference is the humerus is attached to the scapula but is buried in the blubber 5 .

The Eye

Humpback whales inhabit a saltwater environment but also spend time on the surface. They also swim at a range of depths and migrate through tropical and polar climatic regions. To cope with all these different environments their eyes possess several unique features.

Read more...

Humpback whales have brown coloured eyes about the size of a large orange 1 . Soft folds of skin shield the eye, giving it an intriguing appearance. Different features equip humpbacks' eyes for their lives at sea, including the fatty eyelids and the ability to release a liquid that coats and protects the eye from salt water and other marine debris. Humpbacks have exceptionally good eyesight, both above and below the water. They possess a fibrous reflective lens called a 'tapetum lucidum' which assists with vision at night. This reflective structure is behind the retina and is remarkably similar to that present in cats' eyes, which glow green in the dark.

Researchers suggest that like humans, humpbacks have rods and cones in their eyes. Rods and cones are a specialised type of neurone (nerve cell) found in the retina, capable of phototransduction – converting light into electrical signals for the brain. The major difference between whales and humans is the proportion of rods to cones. Cones, in particular L-cones (long cones, sensitive to light of long wavelengths at the red end of the spectrum) only form 1% of the cetacean retina 2 . Due to the low number of these cones in humpbacks' eyes, scientists believe that they cannot distinguish colour.

The Skeleton

Information about the whale skeleton has been divided up into the skull, pectoral fin, vertebrae, hip bone and tail.

Select one of the images below to learn more about the whale skeletal anatomy.

The top right side of the tail reveals four parallel black lines. These are teeth rake marks from a killer whale.

The black and white patterns on the underside of a humpback's tail are unique for each individual, just like our fingerprints. Researchers use pictures of the ventral side, or underside, of the tail for identification.

Only around 5% of our recorded whales have white topsides to their flukes.

The dorsal fin of this humpback whale is scarred with teeth rake marks from an attack by killer whales.

A very hooked dorsal fin. An excellent example of the varying forms, shapes and sizes, particularly when compared with the dorsal fin in the first photo.

This whale's dorsal fin is unintentionally decorated with a number of acorn barnacles (Coronula diadema)

This photo shows 2 streams of breath from a humpback’s paired blowholes.

A very high camera shutter speed reveals the strength and height of the blow.

After the blow, or exhalation, the whale inhales quickly. This takes less than 2 seconds.

The whale has lifted its head out of the water in a spyhop revealing its deep throat grooves, or ventral pleats.

The whale is just about to lift its head above the surface, showing how far the ventral pleats extend on its body.

A humpback lunge feeding at the surface. When using this technique the whale moves very energetically in a sideways manner, scooping up its prey.

A humpback whale spyhopping - lifting its head out of the water. This image shows the flat upper jaw (to the left) and the rounded basket shape of the lower jaw.

This photo shows the large fleshy plate on the whale's chin, called the chin plate or jaw plate, which is usually encrusted with acorn and gooseneck barnacles. These can be used as a weapon when a whale head lunges at a rival.

Humpbacks have a number of round lumps on both the upper and lower jaws.

A humpback whale in the middle of either a pectoral fin slap or wave. The first behaviour is when a humpback lies at the surface and the fin is slapped down. If the whale exhibits a pectoral fin wave, it literally waves the pectoral fin from side to side in the air, just as humans wave their arm.

The phalange bumps on the leading edge of the pectoral fin are easily visible.

These whales are synchronised in their movement of a pectoral fin wave.

The whale in this photo was stranded on a beach and was observed looking at all the human activity around it. It’s thought that humpbacks can see up to 150 metres in clear water.

A whale 'spyhopping'.

A whale surfacing. Often they surface close to boats, while rolling on the surface of the water exposing an eye.

Hip Bone

It's believed that land-based mammals are the ancestors of marine mammals 10 , and indeed modern marine mammals retain some physical features. Cetaceans have vestigial pelvic bones – bones that appear to have become useless, but have been retained as the species evolved 12 . Despite the apparent lack of need for a hipbone or pelvis in modern cetaceans, it appears two purposes might be served. First, during pregnancy, which in humpbacks lasts 11 to 12 months. It’s believed that during this period, while the foetus is developing in utero, (which means in the uterus or the womb) the unborn young is supported by the mother’s hips 18 .

Secondly, new research indicates that inon male dolphins the vestigial hip bones serve as an anchor for muscles manoeuvring the penis 19 .

Tail

A humpback has vertebrae extending from the chin to the tail but the vertebrae do not support the centre of the tail, nor are there any bones in the two lobes of the tail flukes 20 . The tail in humpback whales consists of two broad flukes made of cartilage measuring up to 5.5 metres from tip to tip 21 .

A complex counter current blood system operates 22 in the tail flukes and this helps maintain a constant body temperature and even cools the whole body. 'Vasodilation' is where blood flow is increased to the peripheries 23  of the whale’s body, such as close to the skin in the tail flukes. As it flows near the skin surface the blood cools, which in turn cools the body. To increase this cooling effect humpbacks sometimes hold their tail flukes high in the air. This behaviour is called tail sailing 24 and the cooling is especially effective in a fresh breeze. Elephants use a similar cooling technique as they circulate blood through their large ears.

Vertebrae

Whales dolphins and porpoises have four different types of vertebrae: cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and caudal vertebrae.

There is a distinct variation between the Mysticete whales (baleen whales) and the Odontocete whales (toothed whales) in the number of thoracic, lumbar and caudal types of vertebrae.Generally, baleen whales possess more lumbar vertebrae and fewer caudal vertebrae and these are also smaller than in toothed whales. On average a humpback whale has7cervical vertebrae, 14 thoracic vertebrae, 10 lumbar vertebrae and 22 caudal vertebrae, giving it 53 vertebrae in all.

In contrast, dolphins, which are toothed whales, tend to have more caudal vertebrae, as well as more vertebrae overall, for speed and agility.

Pectoral

The pectoral fin of a humpback is not unlike the human arm 6 . The pectoral fin consists of several bones that are also found in humans, such as the humerus (the upper arm), radius and ulna (in the forearm), as well as the phalange bones which are similar to our finger bones. At the very tip of the pectoral fin is a collection of metacarpals (wrist bones) phalange bones (finger bones) and even a thumb-like bone 7 .

Skull

Humpback whales are rorqual whales, possessing the characteristic throat pleats from the chin to the belly 1 . Generally rorqual whales are streamlined, like other members of the Family Balaenoptera, including the blue whale,fin whale, bryde’s whale, omura’s whale, northern minke whale and Antarctic minke whale 1 . Humpbacks differ from the other rorquals because their body is more rotund and robust, narrowing rapidly in front of the huge tail flukes 2 . The skull differs noticeably too, with a very curved lower mandible 4 and the head being broad and rounded. The humpback's skull can be up to one-third of its total body length 3 .

The Tail

A humpback's tail is the powerhouse that propels it through the water. The tail and two lobes either side, called flukes, are positioned horizontally and move up and down 1 . Sharks and other fish have vertical tails that propel them forwards with a side-to-side motion 2 . A whale's tail is also its most powerful weapon and can be used effectively against predators, such as sharks and killer whales.

 

The Dorsal Fin

A humpback whale's dorsal fin is positioned two thirds of the way along its back and provides a stabilising effect while swimming 1 . This is particularly beneficial for its extensive migrations, helping to reduce the amount of energy required to travel these long distances.

 

The Blowhole

Humpback whales breathe through what is known scientifically as a 'diagnostic paired blowhole', positioned on the topside or dorsal surface of their bodies. With each breath air is expelled and almost instantaneously inhaled, creating a very efficient exchange of oxygen.

 

The Ventral Pleats

Humpback whales belong to the group of whales classified as rorquals 1 . The word rorqual is Scandinavian and means 'furrow whale'. This is a direct reference to the large skin folds situated on its underside and extending from the mouth to the belly. Humpback whales have 12 - 30 of these throat grooves, or ventral pleats 2 .

 

The Chin Plates

Humpback whales have knob-like protuberances on their heads, or rostrums. In fact, at one time their English name was the knucklehead whale 1 .

 

The Pectoral Fin

A humpback whale’s long, highly mobile pectoral fins are this species' main distinguishing feature. They are up to one third of the animal’s body length and in some are almost 5 metres long 1 .

 

The Eye

Humpback whales inhabit a saltwater environment but also spend time on the surface. They also swim at a range of depths and migrate through tropical and polar climatic regions. To cope with all these different environments their eyes possess several unique features.

 

The Skeleton

Information about the whale skeleton has been divided up into the skull, pectoral fin, vertebrae, hip bone and tail.

 

Expedition Log

Expedition Log

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Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day One: Buccaneer Archipelago

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Day 1. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Breaching


Humpback whales are renowned for their acrobatics. They can use their powerful tail to gain enough power and momentum to move up through the water and propel themselves into the air. This behaviour is called breaching 1 .

Personal Stories

  • Aerial Exuberance
  • Tail Flukes
Whale breaching

It takes only 3 to 4 tail beats underwater for a 40 tonne whale to lift itself in a spectacular aerial breach.

There are several situations and reasons why whales breach;

  • To observe what's going on around them.
  • To rid their bodies of attached suckerfish.
  • As an aggressive display towards other animals in male-on-male altercations for available females.
  • As a defensive behaviour towards predatory sharks.
  • To teach calves the art of breaching. A calf learning this valuable behaviour gains strength, muscle tone, good body condition and control.
  • To cool down. Research suggests there is a thermo-regulatory element involved.
  • Just for fun - often this appears to be the case!

Whale breaching
image/svg+xml Buccaneer Archipelago Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 20 SE MOON PHASE Expedition Log Day 1 MAP LONG/LAT. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing Gibbous 73M 2.20m 26 C 0 26 C 0 15 36.0 S 15 36.0 S 124 21.2 e 124 21.2 e 19 PODS 34 Whales Breaching 06.16am Sunset Sunrise 17.39pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
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Sunset
Sunrise

Aerial Exuberance

Sometimes extended bouts of breaching can be observed with humpback whales leaping 20 to 30 or more times in a row! One whale we encountered kept going and going. We used every camera at every angle possible on board our vessel to capture this whale's aerial exuberance! We couldn't believe it as we counted, and the whale kept breaching. In the end, on our datasheet we recorded 100 breaches. It was crazy! A few years ago a humpback whale was released from entangling lines by some researchers. Afterwards, the whale came back towards the small vessel and with its newfound freedom breached 40 times over and over. As you watch this video, it really does seem as though Valentina the whale, was saying 'Thank you'. This is a beautiful film clip - I'm certain you'll enjoy it!

Tail Flukes

Essentially, all humpback whales have their life stories etched on their tail flukes, just as the scars and nicks on our hands tell our story. For some whales, their stories remain for life, such as encounters with ferocious killer whales. Corners of tail flukes can be missing, indicating close shaves with these predators. Yellow-brown smudges on the white flukes are diatoms, or algal accumulations, which are often picked up while feeding in polar regions. Other humpback whales are totally covered with acorn barnacles on their bodies and tail flukes. Perhaps these whales swam through a mass of settlement-stage barnacle larvae, which then settled on the whale. Sometimes when the barnacles come off, white rings are left on the black-pigmented skin and conversely, black rings remain on the white coloured skin areas. These barnacle scars make each whale easy to identify.

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Two: Frost Shoal

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Day 2. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Swimming


The dorsal fin of a humpback is like a surfboard fin; it helps keep the whale upright while swimming through the water 1 . The dorsal fin is critical in helping whales swim huge distances. During the austral winter - from June to October each year - humpback whales make a 13,000km round trip from polar summer feeding grounds to tropical winter breeding grounds in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Personal Stories

  • Wobbles
  • Turquoise Swirls
Whale swimming image 1

The migration is a dangerous journey, driven by the need to procreate, give birth and care for their calves. Humpback whales feed in the Antarctic during the southern or austral summer and breed in the Kimberley during winter. Humpbacks almost never feed while away from the Antarctic continent, but in Australia on the east coast migration, humpback whales feed at Eden 2 in southern New South Wales, which is a unique occurrence.

Whale swimming image 2
image/svg+xml Frost Shoal Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 10 SE MOON PHASE Expedition Log Day 2 MAP LONG/LAT. Number of whales Behaviour First Quarter 36M 3.06m 26.9 C 0 26.9 C 0 15 15.1 S 15 15.1 S 123 22.2 E 123 22.2 E 8 Pods 21 Whales Conscious Breathing 06.16am Sunset Sunrise 17.37pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

Wobbles

As soon as we begin working with a pod we determine the number of whales in the group and immediately identify and assign them field names. We do this to record which whale is doing what; which whale is travelling next to whom; and which whale was biopsied or satellite-tagged. By identifying the whale's dorsal fin we can recognise each individual whale, especially when applying satellite tags or collecting biopsy material. We also want to ensure we correctly attribute exhibited behaviours to the exact individual. Sometimes, as whales surface to breathe and then round out to dive, their dorsal fin appears to be a very wobbly structure, especially if there are any chunks missing. Literally, the dorsal fin can wobble from side to side like a roosters' head-comb! On our data sheet, these whales are often given the handle "Wobbles".

Turquoise Swirls

Beneath the surface of the calm and crystal clear waters of north-west Australia humpbacks with white body markings glow beautifully with gorgeous turquoise hues. These wonderful aqua swirls make it easy to track and follow the pod. This glowing turquoise blue is now my favourite rainbow tone and often features in my wardrobe!

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Three: Camden Sound

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Day 3. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Breathing


When humpback whales breathe they exhale air from their lungs at a speed in excess of 480 kilometres per hour 1 , almost the same speed as a cruising jet aircraft 2 .

Personal Stories

  • "Snot - Scored!"
  • "pphbbb"

While exhaling and inhaling at the surface, the blowholes are held open wide but when they submerge whales consciously shut these blowholes, which now appear as two divergent lines. Humpback whales also keep their blowholes held tightly shut while sleeping. If they didn't they would drown.

Whale Breathing image 1

Along with other marine mammals, humpback whales possess physiological characteristics that allow them to live in the marine environment. One of these is their voluntary respiratory system which maintains control over their blowholes as they surface and dive. This is known as conscious breathing 3 .

Whale breathing image 2

Other physiological characteristics for marine living include:

  • Enormous lung capacity. Their lungs are proportionately larger than in humans.
  • Whale or 'cetacean', muscle contains greater amounts of the oxygen-binding protein myoglobin, found in the muscles of all mammals. So cetacean muscle can store extra oxygen to compensate for lack of fresh oxygen while diving 4 .
  • The ability to prioritise blood circulation to core body areas where oxygen is essential, such as the heart, brain and swimming muscles 4 .
  • A higher tolerance to carbon dioxide allows the whale to hold its breath longer. Carbon dioxide levels trigger a breathing response that brings the whale to the surface so it can replenish its oxygen supply.

Conscious breathing and maintaining blowhole control can be seen in some behaviours observed in humpback whales. Often, whales in active, combative and competitive pods deliberately exhale loudly at the surface producing trumpeting sounds 5 .

Whale breathing image 3

Other whales create bubble trails by exhaling while swimming underwater. These trails can be aggressive behaviours directed at other bull males but are also used as protection by whales to hide from unwanted attention 6 . Bulls forming bubble trails beneath the belly of a female appear to express mating potential and desire 7 .

image/svg+xml Camden Sound Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 15 SSE MOON PHASE Expedition Log Day 3 MAP LONG/LAT. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing Gibbous 24M 3.78m 26.1 C 0 26.1 C 0 15 38.4 S 15 38.4 S 124 19.6 E 124 19.6 E 12 Pods 21 Whales Head Slapping 06.15am Sunset Sunrise 17.38pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

"Snot - Scored!"

Talking of whale exhalations brings back a vivid memory of a particular one a few years ago. We were working with a playful and curious humpback whale that surfaced in ever-decreasing circles around our small research vessel. Rolling its body and its blowholes towards us when it surfaced, we were enveloped in a cloud of blow! "Don't breathe!" I quickly yelled to our crew. We avoided breathing, because of lung diseases known to be present in the blow of humpback whales. Once the cetacean mist had gone, I realised a big blob of whale snot had neatly plopped onto my right forearm! "Shot - Scored!" as the hockey commentators say when the puck hits the goal! Maybe it should have been "Snot - scored!" What a wonderful souvenir from a 'scallywag' whale!

"pphbbb"

One of the pods in the Kimberley we were studying while filming was a Cow/Calf/2 Escort pod (a mother and calf with two interested bull or male whales). As these humpback whales moved through the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the little calf started making really cute trumpeting sounds each time it surfaced! It was remarkable for such a young calf to display such control over its breathing. As a biologist I could imagine a newborn humpback whale calf would concentrate on "not drowning" as a priority. So it was really interesting for me to observe the calf experimenting while breathing. Each time the calf popped to the surface like a little cork, we heard funny 'pphbbb, pphbbb, pphbbb' noises - clearly indicating this young calf had some aspects of 'being a humpback whale' all worked out and was already exhibiting adult whale behaviour!

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Four: Miawaja Island

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Day 4. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Feeding and Singing


Cetaceans such as whales, dolphins and porpoises, are classified into two orders: the Mysticete or Baleen whales and the Odontocete or toothed whales 1 . Humpback whales are Baleen whales, meaning they use baleen to filter when feeding. The ventral pleats on the underside of its belly allow a humpback's mouth to expand enormously while filtering and feeding.

Personal Stories

  • Trills and Squeaks
  • Kitchen and Bedroom

Humpback whales are filter feeders. Swimming through dense krill patches 3 , tonnes of water and krill are taken into the mouth and as the water is forced out again the small prey is filtered through the baleen plates hanging from the upper jaw into the lower mouth cavity. The huge tongue then comes forward and scoops the krill and small fish into a food 'bolus' for swallowing. The humpbacks' baleen filters are made of keratin, a fingernail-like material that is grey coloured and approximately 65 cm long. On average humpbacks have 330 baleen plates. Krill, or Euphausia superba, is the keystone species of the Southern Ocean Antarctic ecosystem and humpbacks - and many other species of whales, seals, penguins and seabirds - feed voraciously on these small crustaceans during the austral summer months 4 .

Whale feeding image 1

As humpback whales feed they open their lower jaw many times. The weight of large volumes of water contained within the mouth, and the repetition required for filtering up to 1.5 tonnes of krill each day, exerts huge pressure on the lower jaw, or mandible. To cope with these physical stresses, whale jaws are uniquely shaped and the bones possess varied 'flexural' rigidity, which means resistance to bending. The highest flexural rigidity is at the edges where the jaw attaches to the skull and the lowest flexural rigidity at the centre of the jaw 5 .

A unique feeding method employed by Northern Hemisphere humpback whales is bubble net feeding 9 . In pods of up to 20 they carefully work together in a coordinated fashion: 10 one whale dives down towards small schooling fish, such as herring, krill and capelin, and circles round the prey while exhaling. These exhalations from the "bubble-blower" whale become a bubble-net as they rise to the surface. Another individual makes vocalisations to scare and herd the prey into a tight ball within the bubble-net. The whales then position themselves beneath the bubble net and lunge towards the surface with their lower jaws open and extended. This co-operative feeding, showing complex social interactions 10 , is a truly wonderful sight to witness.

Whale feeding image 2

Only male humpbacks sing. They do so to attract females at the breeding grounds and advertise their availability and likely virility through the prowess of their songs. Composed of lilting and at times haunting sounds, a song comprises themes, phrases, sub-phrases and units 11 , with most songs being up to 30 minutes long 12 . Each population in the world has a unique song signature 12 and the song changes annually.

Western Australian scientists collected songs in the early 1990's and shared these recordings with researchers on Australia's east coast. When they compared the east coast recordings they found that something unique had occurred. In 1996, two whales in the east coast data were singing the west coast song. The next year half the whales in the breeding season were singing the WA tunes, and by 1998 13 almost all the animals recorded were singing WA's song. This was deemed a cultural revolution rather than a cultural evolution, because the changes occurred so quickly. The cause of the change was deemed a novelty: east coast whales seemed interested in experimenting with a new song, perhaps to increase their mating chances and opportunities?

image/svg+xml MiaWaja island Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 8 NE Moon Phase Expedition Log Day 4 Map Long/Lat. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing Gibbous 33m 4.37m 26.5 C 0 26.5 C 0 15 12.3 S 15 12.3 S 124 27.1 EE 124 27.1 E 1 Pod 2 Whales Spyhopping 06.15am Sunset Sunrise 17.38pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

Trills and Squeaks

On many occasions, we've been close enough to singing humpback whales to hear their song in the air - even over the sound of the motors of our larger boats. Seeing and hearing humpback whales in all their glory is one of the perks of the job when you're a whale researcher. I love listening to their singing and especially love to think of these beautiful songs wooing discerning females. If these songs were sung to me, I would be a pushover. Many times we have been woken at night with the trills and squeaks of humpback whales singing beneath our anchored yacht. Thanks whales, this is yet another wonderful experience!

Kitchen and Bedroom

In the Antarctic on board our vessel Whale Song, in calm seas and surrounded by gently drifting fog, we worked with feeding humpbacks. This was a dream come true! Dense krill patches as deep as 50 and 60 metres (seen on our echo-sounder) were the object of their attention. Interestingly, the whales would come to the surface together, rolling and twisting through the krill and with their mouths agape and even almost folded sideways. We saw tonnes of water being filtered. Close to the whales while rolling at the surface, we could see the pinkness of the flesh inside the expanded pleats. Uniquely, pairs of whales and even pods of 3 and 4 individuals surfaced together. The whales surfaced almost as though in a synchronised swimming sequence but just a hair-offset from each other, so the second whale swam at the corner of the mouth of the first, appearing to catch the spilled krill from the first animal. All manoeuvres by the whales were completed together. For example blowing, fluking and diving, as well as surfacing to breathe and filtering the krill, indicated co-operation in their activities. This coordinated behaviour was really interesting to observe and showed cooperative displays involved in feeding activities. It was a real treat to see the whales in their Antarctic kitchen, as we've been studying them in their Kimberley bedroom for 25 years!

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Five: Byram Martin Island

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Day 5. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Head Lunging


Male, or bull, humpback whales use their chin plate as a weapon against other competing males by landing right on top of them in a head lunge. Head lunging, or head slapping as this behaviour is also known, is extremely aggressive.

Personal Stories

  • Surface Active
  • Close Encounter

Scientists believe that the sensory tubercles on a humpback's head allow it to sense information about its environment, such as water temperature and quality. These tubercles are well innervated 1 (meaning they have a good nerve supply) and well vascularised 1 (they have a good blood supply). Scientists also believe the central single hair cell may play a role in courtship, be a navigation aid or assist in finding food 1 .

Whale head lunging image 1Whale head lunging image 2

Humpback whales are marine mammals. Three main features define (all) mammals.

These are:

  • They possess hair.
  • They breathe air.
  • They provide milk and parental care for their young 2 .

The humpback whale is a warm-blooded mammal. They breathe air, provide milk and care for their young and their hair is found in the single hair cell on its flat plate-like upper jaw in each of the bumpy sensory tubercles. These tubercles form patterns in their number and position and are unique to each individual 3 . Often there is a line of approximately five down the centre of the upper jaw - from the splashguard forward; then another line of three or four longitudinally and either side of the central line. Since the phalange bumps on the leading edge of the pectoral fins appear to assist with mobility when swimming, it would be interesting to investigate if these protuberances on the head assist with surfacing by breaking the water flow.

image/svg+xml Byram Martin island Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 10 SSW Moon Phase Expedition Log Day 5 Map Long/Lat. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing Gibbous 28m 4.66m 26.2 C 0 26.2 C 0 15 26.2 S 15 26.2 S 124 21.8 E 124 21.8 E 23 Pods 41 Whales Fighting 06.14am Sunset Sunrise 17.38pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

Surface Active

Continuous head lunging is a treat to witness! Every research day working with cetaceans is a fun one and we have had many special encounters with interesting humpback whales. One day we encountered a rowdy and boisterous humpback pod of 9 whales, exhibiting all sorts of 'Surface Active' aggressive behaviours. In the centre of the pod 1 whale was breaching and another bull or male whale was trumpeting. The lead animal of the pod was a smooth-skinned, unscarred female whale on the receiving end of all the males' attention. The Primary Escort, the bull whale in closest proximity with the focal female was continuously Head Lunging, - lifting his head out of the water and crashing it down on the surface of the water. This behaviour, also called Head Slapping, makes a huge racket and could be very damaging if performed on top of another animal. The Primary Escort was head lunging to hold his closest position with the focal female by showing his strength to both the female and the other bulls.

Close Encounter

Encounters with curious humpback whales are always memorable. When an interested animal was Spyhopping several times near the bow of our vessel, we couldn't believe it! This adult whale came so close to us that we could actually see each of the little gray hairs sticking out of the sensory tubercles! Rolling around at the surface, young humpback whales or calves look cute. With the bumpy sensory tubercles and the spiky hairs protruding they look like little dill pickles!

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Six: Champagny Island

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Day 6. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Pectoral Fin Slapping


Humpback whales slam their large pectoral fins on the water in a behaviour known as pectoral fin slapping 1 . This highly visible and audible display can be a means of communicating and broadcasting their presence to other whales in the area.

Personal Stories

  • Amazing Control
  • "Crazy"
Pectoral Slapping image 1

Female humpbacks may pectoral fin slap to encourage males to interact with them but it can also be a sign of aggression towards unsolicited bulls 2 . At the breeding grounds, males also use pectoral fin slapping to strike each other or slap the water as warning signals or displays of strength.

As with many behaviours, the context of the display helps with interpretation. For example, humans use their hands and arms to hug or fight and whales use their pectoral fins similarly. Females often lie on the surface and by waving and slapping their pectoral fins advertise their availability for mating. Whacking a 5 metre long, 1 metre wide pectoral fin on the surface of the water makes a huge noise and is a very effective advertisement! But by the same token, striking out with their pectoral fins can discourage unwanted attention.

Pectoral Slapping image 2
image/svg+xml Champagny island Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 12 SW Moon Phase Expedition Log Day 6 Map Long/Lat. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing 22m 4.51m 22.4 C 0 22.4 C 0 15 36.0 S 15 36.0 S 124 21.2 E 124 21.2 E 23 Pods 41 Whales Fighting 06.14am Sunset Sunrise 17.39pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

Amazing Control

Recently we had a whale pectoral fin slapping and waving right near our vessel. Encountering humpback whales in the field when they are doing this is a lovely behaviour to observe. Our ship's crewmember responded by waving his arms too - it was very funny. What I find truly amazing is the absolute control a 40 tonne humpback whale has of its body. As they lift, wave and slap their pectoral fin, they are totally aware of its location and placement throughout the whole process. This is a remarkable feat for their size and weight.

"Crazy"

Over many years of research I remember occasions when individual humpback whales engage with you and really get your attention! One such whale was a female we called "Crazy". For 4 hours she swam around and around our small boat, escaping the advances of 5 bull whales, while she appeared only interested in us! The most memorable part of our encounter with this pod was when she held both pectoral fins aloft either side of our boat. We had 2 humpback whale pectoral fins extended 2 and 3 metres in the air on both sides of our inflatable, her belly was beneath our boat and she was sort of hugging us! The serious scientist side of me was transformed to giggling mush... what a treat to have your study animal take such an interest in you! Despite her being so trusting and engaged we were a little worried about the prospect of barnacles on her pectoral fins damaging our inflatable! This concern was not unfounded since we were 15 nautical miles offshore. Luckily our boat escaped unscathed.

Expedition Log of the R.V. Whale Song

Day Seven: Hull Bank

Day 7 Data Dashboard Thumbnail
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Day 7. Behind the scenes with film-maker Leighton De Barros & whale researcher Micheline Jenner

Spyhopping


Humpback whales have very good eyesight but, when swimming, can only look down. However, they sometimes stand vertically out of the water to look at their surrounds. This behaviour is called Spyhopping 1 . It is a beautiful behaviour to observe as the animal moves very slowly, with supreme control of its enormous body.

Personal Stories

  • "Crazy" 2
  • Buildings
Whale spyhopping image 1

Humpbacks use different parts of their eye lens in different environments. For example, when underwater they use the centre of the lens and when looking in air they use the periphery 2 . At the surface, curious whales appear to tilt their head to the side when looking - this is the whale using the periphery of its lens to observe.

Whale spyhopping image 2
image/svg+xml Hull Bank Tide Height Water Depth Wind Water Temp. Knots 10 SSW Moon Phase Expedition Log Day 7 Map Long/Lat. Number of whales Behaviour Waxing Gibbous 26m 4.00m 26 C 0 26 C 0 15 36.0 S 15 36.0 S 124 21.2 E 124 21.2 E 1 Pod 2 Whales Tail Slapping 06.13am Sunset Sunrise 17.39pm
Location
Behaviour
Longitude
Latitude
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Moon Phase
Water Temperature
Water Depth
Tide Height
Sunset
Sunrise

"Crazy" 2

One day while working with a pod of 2 adult humpback whales, 1 animal became very curious of our small vessel. We determined that this adult was a female, because she rolled towards us and we identified her hemispherical lobe in the genital region of her lower belly. We named her "Crazy" and she circled and circled around our inflatable so many times and so close, that she even draped her pectoral fin over the bow of our boat! During the 4 hours that she was interested in us, no less than 4 males came by to check her out. She was clearly of great interest to the male whales but she was totally and thoroughly engaged in watching us. As you can imagine we were clearly very interested in her. We weren't sure who was doing the watching, Crazy or us but in the end we decided it was both of us. This was a very special experience and one I will treasure for the rest of my life!

Buildings

I will never forget one of the most unreal sights during a research day in the early '90s near the Dampier Archipelago. As we travelled slowly across our survey area we spied a blow - we were thrilled, we would be in the mix with whales that day. As we picked up the pace approaching the blow - about 2.5 nautical miles away - I couldn't believe my eyes as a dark shape, like a building, slowly appeared vertically out of the water. It extended to between 6 and 7 metres above the surface and then moments later, just as calmly, the "building" slipped back underwater again. "Did you see that?" I asked Curt as I rubbed my eyes. With 1 nautical mile to go the whale had coolly and calmly indicated its location with a spyhop, while looking at its surroundings.

The Bridge

Stories Behind the Story

The Bridge

Stories Behind the Story

The bridge is the nerve centre of the ship where all expedition data is collected, stored and disseminated.

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Behaviours

Breaching

Humpback whales are renowned for their acrobatics. They can use their powerful tail to gain enough power and momentum to move up through the water and propel themselves into the air. This behaviour is called breaching 1 .

It takes only 3 to 4 tail beats underwater for a 40 tonne whale to lift itself in a spectacular aerial breach.

There are several situations and reasons why whales breach;

  • To observe what's going on around them.
  • To rid their bodies of attached suckerfish.
  • As an aggressive display towards other animals in male-on-male altercations for available females.
  • As a defensive behaviour towards predatory sharks.
  • To teach calves the art of breaching. A calf learning this valuable behaviour gains strength, muscle tone, good body condition and control.
  • To cool down. Research suggests there is a thermo-regulatory element involved.
  • Just for fun - often this appears to be the case!

Swimming

The dorsal fin of a humpback is like a surfboard fin; it helps keep the whale upright while swimming through the water 1 . The dorsal fin is critical in helping whales swim huge distances. During the austral winter - from June to October each year - humpback whales make a 13,000km round trip from polar summer feeding grounds to tropical winter breeding grounds in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The migration is a dangerous journey, driven by the need to procreate, give birth and care for their calves. Humpback whales feed in the Antarctic during the southern or austral summer and breed in the Kimberley during winter. Humpbacks almost never feed while away from the Antarctic continent, but in Australia on the east coast migration, humpback whales feed at Eden 2 in southern New South Wales, which is a unique occurrence.

Breathing

When humpback whales breathe they exhale air from their lungs at a speed in excess of 480 kilometres per hour 1 , almost the same speed as a cruising jet aircraft 2 .

While exhaling and inhaling at the surface, the blowholes are held open wide but when they submerge whales consciously shut these blowholes, which now appear as two divergent lines. Humpback whales also keep their blowholes held tightly shut while sleeping. If they didn't they would drown.

Along with other marine mammals, humpback whales possess physiological characteristics that allow them to live in the marine environment. One of these is their voluntary respiratory system which maintains control over their blowholes as they surface and dive. This is known as conscious breathing 3 .

Other physiological characteristics for marine living include:

  • Enormous lung capacity. Their lungs are proportionately larger than in humans.
  • Whale or 'cetacean', muscle contains greater amounts of the oxygen-binding protein myoglobin, found in the muscles of all mammals. So cetacean muscle can store extra oxygen to compensate for lack of fresh oxygen while diving 4 .
  • The ability to prioritise blood circulation to core body areas where oxygen is essential, such as the heart, brain and swimming muscles 4 .
  • A higher tolerance to carbon dioxide allows the whale to hold its breath longer. Carbon dioxide levels trigger a breathing response that brings the whale to the surface so it can replenish its oxygen supply.

Conscious breathing and maintaining blowhole control can be seen in some behaviours observed in humpback whales. Often, whales in active, combative and competitive pods deliberately exhale loudly at the surface producing trumpeting sounds 5 .

Other whales create bubble trails by exhaling while swimming underwater. These trails can be aggressive behaviours directed at other bull males but are also used as protection by whales to hide from unwanted attention 6 . Bulls forming bubble trails beneath the belly of a female appear to express mating potential and desire 7 .

Feeding and Singing

Cetaceans such as whales, dolphins and porpoises, are classified into two orders: the Mysticete or Baleen whales and the Odontocete or toothed whales 1 . Humpback whales are Baleen whales, meaning they use baleen to filter when feeding. The ventral pleats on the underside of its belly allow a humpback's mouth to expand enormously while filtering and feeding.

Humpback whales are filter feeders. Swimming through dense krill patches 3 , tonnes of water and krill are taken into the mouth and as the water is forced out again the small prey is filtered through the baleen plates hanging from the upper jaw into the lower mouth cavity. The huge tongue then comes forward and scoops the krill and small fish into a food 'bolus' for swallowing. The humpbacks' baleen filters are made of keratin, a fingernail-like material that is grey coloured and approximately 65 cm long. On average humpbacks have 330 baleen plates. Krill, or Euphausia superba, is the keystone species of the Southern Ocean Antarctic ecosystem and humpbacks - and many other species of whales, seals, penguins and seabirds - feed voraciously on these small crustaceans during the austral summer months 4 .

As humpback whales feed they open their lower jaw many times. The weight of large volumes of water contained within the mouth, and the repetition required for filtering up to 1.5 tonnes of krill each day, exerts huge pressure on the lower jaw, or mandible. To cope with these physical stresses, whale jaws are uniquely shaped and the bones possess varied 'flexural' rigidity, which means resistance to bending. The highest flexural rigidity is at the edges where the jaw attaches to the skull and the lowest flexural rigidity at the centre of the jaw 5 .

A unique feeding method employed by Northern Hemisphere humpback whales is bubble net feeding 9 . In pods of up to 20 they carefully work together in a coordinated fashion: 10 one whale dives down towards small schooling fish, such as herring, krill and capelin, and circles round the prey while exhaling. These exhalations from the "bubble-blower" whale become a bubble-net as they rise to the surface. Another individual makes vocalisations to scare and herd the prey into a tight ball within the bubble-net. The whales then position themselves beneath the bubble net and lunge towards the surface with their lower jaws open and extended. This co-operative feeding, showing complex social interactions 10 , is a truly wonderful sight to witness.

Only male humpbacks sing. They do so to attract females at the breeding grounds and advertise their availability and likely virility through the prowess of their songs. Composed of lilting and at times haunting sounds, a song comprises themes, phrases, sub-phrases and units 11 , with most songs being up to 30 minutes long 12 . Each population in the world has a unique song signature 12 and the song changes annually.

Western Australian scientists collected songs in the early 1990's and shared these recordings with researchers on Australia's east coast. When they compared the east coast recordings they found that something unique had occurred. In 1996, two whales in the east coast data were singing the west coast song. The next year half the whales in the breeding season were singing the WA tunes, and by 1998 13 almost all the animals recorded were singing WA's song. This was deemed a cultural revolution rather than a cultural evolution, because the changes occurred so quickly. The cause of the change was deemed a novelty: east coast whales seemed interested in experimenting with a new song, perhaps to increase their mating chances and opportunities?

Head Lunging

Male, or bull, humpback whales use their chin plate as a weapon against other competing males by landing right on top of them in a head lunge. Head lunging, or head slapping as this behaviour is also known, is extremely aggressive.

Scientists believe that the sensory tubercles on a humpback's head allow it to sense information about its environment, such as water temperature and quality. These tubercles are well innervated 1 (meaning they have a good nerve supply) and well vascularised 1 (they have a good blood supply). Scientists also believe the central single hair cell may play a role in courtship, be a navigation aid or assist in finding food 1 .

Humpback whales are marine mammals. Three main features define (all) mammals.

These are:

  • They possess hair.
  • They breathe air.
  • They provide milk and parental care for their young 2 .

The humpback whale is a warm-blooded mammal. They breathe air, provide milk and care for their young and their hair is found in the single hair cell on its flat plate-like upper jaw in each of the bumpy sensory tubercles. These tubercles form patterns in their number and position and are unique to each individual 3 . Often there is a line of approximately five down the centre of the upper jaw - from the splashguard forward; then another line of three or four longitudinally and either side of the central line. Since the phalange bumps on the leading edge of the pectoral fins appear to assist with mobility when swimming, it would be interesting to investigate if these protuberances on the head assist with surfacing by breaking the water flow.

Pectoral Fin Slapping

Humpback whales slam their large pectoral fins on the water in a behaviour known as pectoral fin slapping 1 . This highly visible and audible display can be a means of communicating and broadcasting their presence to other whales in the area.

Female humpbacks may pectoral fin slap to encourage males to interact with them but it can also be a sign of aggression towards unsolicited bulls 2 . At the breeding grounds, males also use pectoral fin slapping to strike each other or slap the water as warning signals or displays of strength.

As with many behaviours, the context of the display helps with interpretation. For example, humans use their hands and arms to hug or fight and whales use their pectoral fins similarly. Females often lie on the surface and by waving and slapping their pectoral fins advertise their availability for mating. Whacking a 5 metre long, 1 metre wide pectoral fin on the surface of the water makes a huge noise and is a very effective advertisement! But by the same token, striking out with their pectoral fins can discourage unwanted attention.

Spyhopping

Humpback whales have very good eyesight but, when swimming, can only look down. However, they sometimes stand vertically out of the water to look at their surrounds. This behaviour is called Spyhopping 1 . It is a beautiful behaviour to observe as the animal moves very slowly, with supreme control of its enormous body.

Humpbacks use different parts of their eye lens in different environments. For example, when underwater they use the centre of the lens and when looking in air they use the periphery 2 . At the surface, curious whales appear to tilt their head to the side when looking - this is the whale using the periphery of its lens to observe.

References

The Blowhole

  1. Shirihai, H. And B. Jarrett (2006) Whales, Dolphins and Seals A Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World. A & C Black London. 384p.
  2. Queensland Government website: https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/whales.html in (The Mystery of Whales)
  3. Inner body website: http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/respiratory/lungs#full-description
  4. Cascadia Research website: http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/humpback.htm
  5. Shirihai, H. And B. Jarrett (2006) Whales, Dolphins and Seals A Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World. A & C Black London. 384p.

Breathing

  1. Whale Watching on Molokai website: http://www.whalewatchmolokai.com/molokai-whale-watching-facts.php
  2. How to Calculate Aircraft Descent Rate website: http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Aircraft-Descent-Rate
  3. Scientific American website: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-whales-and-dolphin/
  4. Conservation Physiology website: http://conphys.oxfordjournals.org/content/1/1/cot006.full
  5. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  6. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  7. Jenner (Pers. Comm.)

The Dorsal Fin

  1. Bannister, J. L. Fauna of Australia. 11 p. http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/a117ced5-9a94-4586-afdb-1f333618e1e3/files/53-ind.pdf
  2. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  3. Ellis, R. (1982) Dolphins and Porpoises. Knopf: New York. 270 p.
  4. Paper on Killer whale predation off Western Australia. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12182/abstract
  5. Killers of Eden website: http://www.killersofeden.com/
  6. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  7. Barnacles - Life on Australian Seashores Website: http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/barnacles.html
  8. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  9. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  10. The talkorigins Archive website: http://www.talkorigins.org/features/whales/

Swimming

  1. Bannister, J. L. Fauna of Australia. 11 p. http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/a117ced5-9a94-4586-afdb-1f333618e1e3/files/53-ind.pdf
  2. Whale Watching Eden Website: http://www.australianwhalewatching.com.au/whale-watching-tours/new-south-wales/eden/

The Eye

  1. Stories from oceans edge website: http://storiesfromoceansedge.blogspot.com.au/2007/08/humpback-whale.html
  2. Greibel, U and L. Peichi (2003) Colour vision in marine mammals. Aqu. Mamms. 29: 18-30. http://www.researchgate.net/

Spyhopping

  1. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  2. The Atlantic website: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/03/youre-eye-to-eye-with-a-whale-in-the-ocean-what-does-it-see/274448/

The Pectoral Fin

  1. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  2. Integrative and Comparative Biology http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/content/51/1/203.full
  3. Sointula Ripple article: http://sointularipple.ca/2012/07/humpback-headed-to-telegraph-cove/#.vljbqyquc2s
  4. Pectoral fin project http://pectoralfin.org/en_index.php
  5. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.

Pectoral Fin Slapping

  1. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  2. NRC research Press website: http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/z84-282#.vljlo4quc2s

The Tail

  1. Enchanted Learning website: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales/anatomy/Flukes.shtml
  2. International Portal of Aquarium Fish website: http://www.acquariofiliaitalia.com/movement-of-fish-in-water.html
  3. Katona, S. K., B. Baxter, O. Brazier, S. Kraus, J. Perkins and H. Whitehead. 1979. Identification of humpback whales by fluke photographs. Pages 33-44 in H. E. Winn and B. L. Olla, eds. Behavior of marine animals - current perspectives in research. Volume 3. Cetaceans. Plenum Press, New York, NY, U.S.A.
  4. Jenner K.C.S. & M.N. Jenner (1994). A Preliminary Population Estimate of the Group IV Breeding Stock of humpback Whales off Western Australia. Reports of the International Whaling Commission. 44:303-307.
  5. Jenner, K.C.S., M.N. Jenner & K.A. mccabe (2001). Geographical and temporal movements of humpback whales in Western Australian waters. APPEA journal. Pages 749-765.

Breaching

  1. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  2. Saving Valentina: A humpbacks' Tale. YouTube video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=tcxu7g6zhju

The Chin Plates

  1. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  2. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  3. Hawai'i Marine Mammal Consortium website:http://www.hmmc.org/marmammspp/humpback/humpback.html

Head Lunging

  1. Oceanwatch website: http://www.susanscott.net/Oceanwatch2002/mar22-02.html
  2. The Marine Mammal Center website: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/
  3. The Mammals of Texas website: http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/meganova.htm

The Ventral Pleats

  1. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  2. Hawaiian Encyclopedia website: http://www.hawaiianencyclopedia.com/humpback-whales.asp
  3. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  4. Cawardine, M. (1995) Whales Dolphins and Porpoises. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks: London. 256 p.
  5. Ware, C. Shallow and Deep Lunge Feeding of humpback Whales in Fjordsof the West Antarctic Peninsula. http://ccom.unh.edu/vislab/pdfs/wareetal_humpbacklunges.pdf
  6. Cetacea Lab website: http://www.cetacealab.org/whales/humpback-whales/feeding-behaviour
  7. Payne, R. And S. Mcvay (1971) Songs of humpback whales. Science 173:585-597.
  8. Mercado III, E., Schneider, J. N. , Pack, A. A. And L. M. Hermann (2010) Sound production by singing humpback whales. J. Acoust. Soc. Am., Vol 127, No 4: 2678-2691. http://dolphin-institute.org/our_research/pdf/Mercado,Schneider,Pack%26Herman2010.pdf

Feeding and Singing

  1. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  2. Teerlink, S. F., Ziegasar, O. V., Straley, J. M., Quinn II, T. J. Matkin, C. O. And E. L. Saulitis (2013) First time series of estimated humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) abundance in Prince William Sound. http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/427/art%253A10.1007%252Fs10651-014-0301-8.pdf?Auth66=1421644648_f78499f518e968b172016e8ef4a4d2b5&ext=.pdf
  3. Juneau humpback Whale Catalog website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/
  4. Antarctic Division website: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/wildlife/animals/krill/krill-magicians-of-the-southern-ocean
  5. Live Science article: Secret of Whale’s Open-mouth Feeding Tactic Revealed. http://www.livescience.com/6740-secret-whale-open-mouth-feeding-tactic-revealed.html
  6. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew & Higton: London. 302 p.
  7. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf
  8. Juneau humpback Whale Catalog website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/
  9. Teerlink, S. F., Ziegasar, O. V., Straley, J. M., Quinn II, T. J. Matkin, C. O. And E. L. Saulitis (2013) First time series of estimated humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) abundance in Prince William Sound.
  10. Juneau humpback Whale Catalog website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/
  11. Payne, R. And S. Mcvay (1971) Songs of humpback whales. Science 173:585-597.
  12. Live Science website: http://www.livescience.com
  13. Nature article: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v408/n6812/full/408537a0.html'

The Skeleton

  1. Shirihai, H and B, Jarrett (2006) Whales, Dolphins and Seals A Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World. A and C Black: London. 384 p.
  2. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  3. Cawardine, M. (1995) Whales Dolphins and Porpoises. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks: London. 256 p.
  4. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  5. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  6. Pectoral fin project: http://pectoralfin.org/en_index.php
  7. FT Exploring and Technology: http://www.ftexploring.com/askdrg/askdrgalapagos3.html
  8. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  9. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  10. PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ocean-giants-going-aquatic-cetacean-evolution/7577/
  11. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  12. When whales lost their legs: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/09/12/researchers-determine-when-whales-legs-turned-into-a-tail/#.vmilg4quc2s
  13. The purpose of a leg bone in a whale website: http://www.answers.com/Q/The_purpose_of_a_leg_bone_in_a_whale
  14. Watson, L. (1981) Sea Guide to Whales of the World. Bellew and Higton: London. 302 p.
  15. Gingerich P, Wells NA, Russell DE, Shah SMI. Origin of whales in epicontinental remnant seas: new evidence from the early Eocene of Pakistan, Science 1983; 220: 403-6.
  16. PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ocean-giants-going-aquatic-cetacean-evolution/7577/
  17. When whales lost their legs: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/09/12/researchers-determine-when-whales-legs-turned-into-a-tail/#.vmilg4quc2s
  18. Why do whales have hipbones? http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_does_a_whale_have_a_hip_bone
  19. IFL Science website: http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/why-do-dolphins-and-whales-still-have-pelvic-bones-please-ladies
  20. FT Exploring website: http://www.ftexploring.com/askdrg/askdrgalapagos3.html
  21. American Cetacean Society website: http://acsonline.org/fact-sheets/humpback-whale/
  22. Whales Forever website: http://www.whalesforever.com/whales-anatomy-introduction.html#.vmifviquc2s
  23. Boundless Biology website: http://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/the-animal-body-basic-form-and-function-33/homeostasis-194/heat-conservation-and-dissipation-744-11976/
  24. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website: http://whalesenseblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ethogram_mn.pdf

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    Whale Anatomy

    The Tail

    A humpback's tail is the powerhouse that propels it through the water. The tail and two lobes either side, called flukes, are positioned horizontally and move up and down 1 . Sharks and other fish have vertical tails that propel them forwards with a side-to-side motion 2 . A whale's tail is also its most powerful weapon and can be used effectively against predators, such as sharks and killer whales.

    Photo-identification data requires three photos of each whale: the tail fluke, left dorsal fin and right dorsal fin. This process is not unlike the three mug shots police take to identify suspects. Long-term photographic identification is a tool used for comparison both within and between research seasons. This allows scientists to match individuals and produce population estimates 4 . Matching images and finding the same whale twice is called a 're-sight' and provides vital data about area usage. In this way we can identify critical habitats, such as resting areas or calving grounds 5 and recommend they be set aside as marine protected areas, like Camden Sound Marine Park.

    The Dorsal Fin

    A humpback whale's dorsal fin is positioned two thirds of the way along its back and provides a stabilising effect while swimming 1 . This is particularly beneficial for its extensive migrations, helping to reduce the amount of energy required to travel these long distances.

    Each humpback whale has a distinctive and uniquely shaped dorsal fin. When scientists work with a pod a name is given to each of its members, usually based on the shape of its dorsal fin, which is easily visible as the whale surfaces. Humpbacks are so-called because of the distinct fleshy ‘step’ located in front of its dorsal fin 2 .

    The humpback whale dorsal fin is a unique structure. There are no bones in the fin, it is fleshy but is stiffened by connective tissue 10 . Pregnant females appear to have extra flesh in the step in front of the dorsal and in a lump behind the blowholes.

    Killer whales, or orca, are apex ocean predators that hunt in packs of 12-15 animals to target individual whales. These include blue whales, fin whales, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales, as well as many species of dolphins, porpoises, seals and sealions 3 . Over the last few years off the coast of Western Australia, particularly in the Exmouth region 4 , attacks by killer whales on humpbacks have targeted very young calves 4 . Killer whales will also attach their large peg-like teeth to the trailing edge and tips of a whale’s tail flukes. By slowing it down and harassing it the orcas attempt to drown the whale.

    In the past, on Australia's east coast, a unique relationship existed between the Davidson family, who were whalers, and killer whales, especially one they named 'Old Tom'. The orcas helped the Davidsons find the humpbacks and in return Old Tom and his pod received the first spoils - the humpback whale’s tongue 5 .

    Barnacles are 'sessile' filter-feeders. This means they attach themselves to a surface with their head – it could be a rock or just as easily a passing whale - and then hang their legs in the current to feed. "Bristle-like" cirri are extended into the surrounding water flow 7 where they collect plankton, including both small plants (phytoplankton) and small animals (zooplankton). Barnacles are one of several ectoparasites that attach to the rough, knobby skin of humpback whales. In cold water humpbacks are infested with up to half a tonne of acorn and gooseneck barnacles, most of which tend to drop off as the whales move into warmer water 8 .

    Whales can use barnacles as weapons. During fights, as the whales collide with each other, the razor–sharp barnacles attached to their skin inflict wounds on their opponents. It’s an unusual relationship, perhaps symbiotic, and each member profits. Whale lice, Cyamis boopis, are tiny crustaceans that replace barnacles once humpback whales reach warmer seas. They inhabit the corners of a whale's mouth and along its lips 8 . Sick and injured humpbacks can become entirely infested with these pink, star-like crab relatives.

    The Blowhole

    Humpback whales breathe through what is known scientifically as a 'diagnostic paired blowhole', positioned on the topside or dorsal surface of their bodies. With each breath air is expelled and almost instantaneously inhaled, creating a very efficient exchange of oxygen.

    When whales exhale, their warm breath condenses as it hits the cooler surrounding air. This creates a tell tale ‘blow’ through their 2 nostrils, or nares, that can rise up to 3 metres into the air 1 .

    Whale researchers scan the horizon for these blows as they search for whales. Water often laps over the fleshy splashguard located in front of the two blowholes and is vapourised along with the condensation and mucus from within the lungs, making the blow even more visible.

    The lung capacity of humpbacks is enormous; they can inhale almost 7,500 litres of air in a single breath. Their lungs are also very efficient, they exchange up to 90% of their lung capacity 2 . Humans only exchange up to 13% 3 .

    Humpback whales store oxygen in their muscles, enabling them to stay submerged for up to an hour and dive to depths of 240 metres 4 . However, humpback whale statistics pale in comparison with sperm whales. Sperm whales can dive to 3000 metres, staying underwater for over 2 hours 5 .

    The Ventral Pleats

    Humpback whales belong to the group of whales classified as rorquals 1 . The word rorqual is Scandinavian and means 'furrow whale'. This is a direct reference to the large skin folds situated on its underside and extending from the mouth to the belly. Humpback whales have 12 - 30 of these throat grooves, or ventral pleats 2 .

    Although humpback whales are classified as rorqual whales due to the presence of the characteristic ventral pleats, they are more robust and rotund than the other more slender rorqual whales. The ventral pleats allow the mouth to expand during feeding so it can gulp vast mouthfuls of krill 4 . The humpback's enormous mouth, or buccal cavity, is up to two-thirds the length of its body 5 .

    Humpback whale songs are the most complex in the animal kingdom 7 . The process by which a humpback produces sound and song is still unknown, but ongoing research has given scientists more understanding 8 . Humpbacks possess a larynx but don't have vocal chords. Some researchers have compared a human larynx with that of a humpback calf. The study determined that these two organs were not dissimilar and that a humpback's larynx was indeed capable of sound production. It's believed that sound may be produced when air flowing from the larynx passes the u-fold, which is aligned parallel to the airflow. Vibrations are caused within the air column inside the larynx, or the laryngeal sac. The vibrating air could then create pressure changes that are transferred through surrounding tissue into the water.

    The Chin Plates

    Humpback whales have knob-like protuberances on their heads, or rostrums. In fact, at one time their English name was the knucklehead whale 1 .

    These lumps are called sensory tubercles 3 . and are sensory nodes, each with a single central hair cell measuring about one and a half centimetres long. It's thought that the sensory tubercles could be involved in assessing water temperature and quality.

    The Pectoral Fin

    A humpback whale’s long, highly mobile pectoral fins are this species' main distinguishing feature. They are up to one third of the animal’s body length and in some are almost 5 metres long 1 .

    Humpback whales possess the longest pectoral fins of all the great whales and because of this have been classified in their own Genus, Megaptera.

    Humpback pectoral fins have swellings on the leading edge called phalangic bumps. Although their function is not entirely understood, research indicates they give the fins special hydrodynamic properties, aiding movement through the water by providing better control and manoeuverability 2 . Pectoral fins provide steerage and allow humpback whales to 'fly' underwater.

    Humpback whales use their pectoral fins in many different ways, and the context within which displays are exhibited often gives clues to the purpose. For example, gentle caressing between a cow and calf indicates nurturing, while swinging wildly towards another whale is an aggressive behaviour.

    Like tail flukes, pectoral fins can be used as a weapon against lurking predators 3 . Humpbacks also use their pectoral fins in fights between bull whales when competing for available females. Some whales, with extensively damaged tails, have been observed using their pectoral fins like oars - literally rowing themselves through the water.

    The pectoral fin contains similar bones to those found in human arms 4 . In fact, the humerus, radius and ulna bones are present in cetaceans, just as they are in the forelimbs of most other mammals. Slight changes include the shortening and widening of these three bones, while the elbow lies flush with the body and the upper arm. Another difference is the humerus is attached to the scapula but is buried in the blubber 5 .

    The Eye

    Humpback whales inhabit a saltwater environment but also spend time on the surface. They also swim at a range of depths and migrate through tropical and polar climatic regions. To cope with all these different environments their eyes possess several unique features.

    Humpback whales have brown coloured eyes about the size of a large orange 1 . Soft folds of skin shield the eye, giving it an intriguing appearance. Different features equip humpbacks' eyes for their lives at sea, including the fatty eyelids and the ability to release a liquid that coats and protects the eye from salt water and other marine debris. Humpbacks have exceptionally good eyesight, both above and below the water. They possess a fibrous reflective lens called a 'tapetum lucidum' which assists with vision at night. This reflective structure is behind the retina and is remarkably similar to that present in cats' eyes, which glow green in the dark.

    Researchers suggest that like humans, humpbacks have rods and cones in their eyes. Rods and cones are a specialised type of neurone (nerve cell) found in the retina, capable of phototransduction – converting light into electrical signals for the brain. The major difference between whales and humans is the proportion of rods to cones. Cones, in particular L-cones (long cones, sensitive to light of long wavelengths at the red end of the spectrum) only form 1% of the cetacean retina 2 . Due to the low number of these cones in humpbacks' eyes, scientists believe that they cannot distinguish colour.

    The Skeleton

    Information about the whale skeleton has been divided up into the skull, pectoral fin, vertebrae, hip bone and tail.

    Skull

    Humpback whales are rorqual whales, possessing the characteristic throat pleats from the chin to the belly 1 . Generally rorqual whales are streamlined, like other members of the Family Balaenoptera, including the blue whale,fin whale, bryde’s whale, omura’s whale, northern minke whale and Antarctic minke whale 1 . Humpbacks differ from the other rorquals because their body is more rotund and robust, narrowing rapidly in front of the huge tail flukes 2 . The skull differs noticeably too, with a very curved lower mandible 4 and the head being broad and rounded. The humpback's skull can be up to one-third of its total body length 3 .

    Pectoral Fin

    The pectoral fin of a humpback is not unlike the human arm 6 . The pectoral fin consists of several bones that are also found in humans, such as the humerus (the upper arm), radius and ulna (in the forearm), as well as the phalange bones which are similar to our finger bones. At the very tip of the pectoral fin is a collection of metacarpals (wrist bones) phalange bones (finger bones) and even a thumb-like bone 7 .

    Vertebrae

    Whales dolphins and porpoises have four different types of vertebrae: cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae and caudal vertebrae.

    There is a distinct variation between the Mysticete whales (baleen whales) and the Odontocete whales (toothed whales) in the number of thoracic, lumbar and caudal types of vertebrae.Generally, baleen whales possess more lumbar vertebrae and fewer caudal vertebrae and these are also smaller than in toothed whales. On average a humpback whale has7cervical vertebrae, 14 thoracic vertebrae, 10 lumbar vertebrae and 22 caudal vertebrae, giving it 53 vertebrae in all.

    In contrast, dolphins, which are toothed whales, tend to have more caudal vertebrae, as well as more vertebrae overall, for speed and agility.

    Hip Bone

    It's believed that land-based mammals are the ancestors of marine mammals 10 , and indeed modern marine mammals retain some physical features. Cetaceans have vestigial pelvic bones – bones that appear to have become useless, but have been retained as the species evolved 12 . Despite the apparent lack of need for a hipbone or pelvis in modern cetaceans, it appears two purposes might be served. First, during pregnancy, which in humpbacks lasts 11 to 12 months. It’s believed that during this period, while the foetus is developing in utero, (which means in the uterus or the womb) the unborn young is supported by the mother’s hips 18 .

    Secondly, new research indicates that inon male dolphins the vestigial hip bones serve as an anchor for muscles manoeuvring the penis 19 .

    Tail

    A humpback has vertebrae extending from the chin to the tail but the vertebrae do not support the centre of the tail, nor are there any bones in the two lobes of the tail flukes 20 . The tail in humpback whales consists of two broad flukes made of cartilage measuring up to 5.5 metres from tip to tip 21 .

    A complex counter current blood system operates 22 in the tail flukes and this helps maintain a constant body temperature and even cools the whole body. 'Vasodilation' is where blood flow is increased to the peripheries 23  of the whale’s body, such as close to the skin in the tail flukes. As it flows near the skin surface the blood cools, which in turn cools the body. To increase this cooling effect humpbacks sometimes hold their tail flukes high in the air. This behaviour is called tail sailing 24 and the cooling is especially effective in a fresh breeze. Elephants use a similar cooling technique as they circulate blood through their large ears.

    Mich's Personal Stories

    • Message from Mich
    • Aerial Exuberance
    • Tail Flukes
    • Wobbles
    • Turquoise Swirls
    • "Snot - Scored!"
    • "pphbbb"
    • Trills and Squeaks
    • Kitchen and Bedroom
    • Surface Active
    • Close Encounter
    • Amazing Control
    • "Crazy"
    • "Crazy" 2
    • Buildings

    'Some wonderful memories from my life working with whales, I hope you enjoy them'.

    Aerial Exuberance

    Sometimes extended bouts of breaching can be observed with humpback whales leaping 20 to 30 or more times in a row! One whale we encountered kept going and going. We used every camera at every angle possible on board our vessel to capture this whale's aerial exuberance! We couldn't believe it as we counted, and the whale kept breaching. In the end, on our datasheet we recorded 100 breaches. It was crazy! A few years ago a humpback whale was released from entangling lines by some researchers. Afterwards, the whale came back towards the small vessel and with its newfound freedom breached 40 times over and over. As you watch this video, it really does seem as though Valentina the whale, was saying 'Thank you'. This is a beautiful film clip - I'm certain you'll enjoy it!

    Tail Flukes

    Essentially, all humpback whales have their life stories etched on their tail flukes, just as the scars and nicks on our hands tell our story. For some whales, their stories remain for life, such as encounters with ferocious killer whales. Corners of tail flukes can be missing, indicating close shaves with these predators. Yellow-brown smudges on the white flukes are diatoms, or algal accumulations, which are often picked up while feeding in polar regions. Other humpback whales are totally covered with acorn barnacles on their bodies and tail flukes. Perhaps these whales swam through a mass of settlement-stage barnacle larvae, which then settled on the whale. Sometimes when the barnacles come off, white rings are left on the black-pigmented skin and conversely, black rings remain on the white coloured skin areas. These barnacle scars make each whale easy to identify.

    Wobbles

    As soon as we begin working with a pod we determine the number of whales in the group and immediately identify and assign them field names. We do this to record which whale is doing what; which whale is travelling next to whom; and which whale was biopsied or satellite-tagged. By identifying the whale's dorsal fin we can recognise each individual whale, especially when applying satellite tags or collecting biopsy material. We also want to ensure we correctly attribute exhibited behaviours to the exact individual. Sometimes, as whales surface to breathe and then round out to dive, their dorsal fin appears to be a very wobbly structure, especially if there are any chunks missing. Literally, the dorsal fin can wobble from side to side like a roosters' head-comb! On our data sheet, these whales are often given the handle "Wobbles".

    Turquoise Swirls

    Beneath the surface of the calm and crystal clear waters of north-west Australia humpbacks with white body markings glow beautifully with gorgeous turquoise hues. These wonderful aqua swirls make it easy to track and follow the pod. This glowing turquoise blue is now my favourite rainbow tone and often features in my wardrobe!

    "Snot - Scored!"

    Talking of whale exhalations brings back a vivid memory of a particular one a few years ago. We were working with a playful and curious humpback whale that surfaced in ever-decreasing circles around our small research vessel. Rolling its body and its blowholes towards us when it surfaced, we were enveloped in a cloud of blow! "Don't breathe!" I quickly yelled to our crew. We avoided breathing, because of lung diseases known to be present in the blow of humpback whales. Once the cetacean mist had gone, I realised a big blob of whale snot had neatly plopped onto my right forearm! "Shot - Scored!" as the hockey commentators say when the puck hits the goal! Maybe it should have been "Snot - scored!" What a wonderful souvenir from a 'scallywag' whale!

    "pphbbb"

    One of the pods in the Kimberley we were studying while filming was a Cow/Calf/2 Escort pod (a mother and calf with two interested bull or male whales). As these humpback whales moved through the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the little calf started making really cute trumpeting sounds each time it surfaced! It was remarkable for such a young calf to display such control over its breathing. As a biologist I could imagine a newborn humpback whale calf would concentrate on "not drowning" as a priority. So it was really interesting for me to observe the calf experimenting while breathing. Each time the calf popped to the surface like a little cork, we heard funny 'pphbbb, pphbbb, pphbbb' noises - clearly indicating this young calf had some aspects of 'being a humpback whale' all worked out and was already exhibiting adult whale behaviour!

    Trills and Squeaks

    On many occasions, we've been close enough to singing humpback whales to hear their song in the air - even over the sound of the motors of our larger boats. Seeing and hearing humpback whales in all their glory is one of the perks of the job when you're a whale researcher. I love listening to their singing and especially love to think of these beautiful songs wooing discerning females. If these songs were sung to me, I would be a pushover. Many times we have been woken at night with the trills and squeaks of humpback whales singing beneath our anchored yacht. Thanks whales, this is yet another wonderful experience!

    Kitchen and Bedroom

    In the Antarctic on board our vessel Whale Song, in calm seas and surrounded by gently drifting fog, we worked with feeding humpbacks. This was a dream come true! Dense krill patches as deep as 50 and 60 metres (seen on our echo-sounder) were the object of their attention. Interestingly, the whales would come to the surface together, rolling and twisting through the krill and with their mouths agape and even almost folded sideways. We saw tonnes of water being filtered. Close to the whales while rolling at the surface, we could see the pinkness of the flesh inside the expanded pleats. Uniquely, pairs of whales and even pods of 3 and 4 individuals surfaced together. The whales surfaced almost as though in a synchronised swimming sequence but just a hair-offset from each other, so the second whale swam at the corner of the mouth of the first, appearing to catch the spilled krill from the first animal. All manoeuvres by the whales were completed together. For example blowing, fluking and diving, as well as surfacing to breathe and filtering the krill, indicated co-operation in their activities. This coordinated behaviour was really interesting to observe and showed cooperative displays involved in feeding activities. It was a real treat to see the whales in their Antarctic kitchen, as we've been studying them in their Kimberley bedroom for 25 years!

    Surface Active

    Continuous head lunging is a treat to witness! Every research day working with cetaceans is a fun one and we have had many special encounters with interesting humpback whales. One day we encountered a rowdy and boisterous humpback pod of 9 whales, exhibiting all sorts of 'Surface Active' aggressive behaviours. In the centre of the pod 1 whale was breaching and another bull or male whale was trumpeting. The lead animal of the pod was a smooth-skinned, unscarred female whale on the receiving end of all the males' attention. The Primary Escort, the bull whale in closest proximity with the focal female was continuously Head Lunging, - lifting his head out of the water and crashing it down on the surface of the water. This behaviour, also called Head Slapping, makes a huge racket and could be very damaging if performed on top of another animal. The Primary Escort was head lunging to hold his closest position with the focal female by showing his strength to both the female and the other bulls.

    Close Encounter

    Encounters with curious humpback whales are always memorable. When an interested animal was Spyhopping several times near the bow of our vessel, we couldn't believe it! This adult whale came so close to us that we could actually see each of the little gray hairs sticking out of the sensory tubercles! Rolling around at the surface, young humpback whales or calves look cute. With the bumpy sensory tubercles and the spiky hairs protruding they look like little dill pickles!

    Amazing Control

    Recently we had a whale pectoral fin slapping and waving right near our vessel. Encountering humpback whales in the field when they are doing this is a lovely behaviour to observe. Our ship's crewmember responded by waving his arms too - it was very funny. What I find truly amazing is the absolute control a 40 tonne humpback whale has of its body. As they lift, wave and slap their pectoral fin, they are totally aware of its location and placement throughout the whole process. This is a remarkable feat for their size and weight.

    "Crazy"

    Over many years of research I remember occasions when individual humpback whales engage with you and really get your attention! One such whale was a female we called "Crazy". For 4 hours she swam around and around our small boat, escaping the advances of 5 bull whales, while she appeared only interested in us! The most memorable part of our encounter with this pod was when she held both pectoral fins aloft either side of our boat. We had 2 humpback whale pectoral fins extended 2 and 3 metres in the air on both sides of our inflatable, her belly was beneath our boat and she was sort of hugging us! The serious scientist side of me was transformed to giggling mush... what a treat to have your study animal take such an interest in you! Despite her being so trusting and engaged we were a little worried about the prospect of barnacles on her pectoral fins damaging our inflatable! This concern was not unfounded since we were 15 nautical miles offshore. Luckily our boat escaped unscathed.

    "Crazy" 2

    One day while working with a pod of 2 adult humpback whales, 1 animal became very curious of our small vessel. We determined that this adult was a female, because she rolled towards us and we identified her hemispherical lobe in the genital region of her lower belly. We named her "Crazy" and she circled and circled around our inflatable so many times and so close, that she even draped her pectoral fin over the bow of our boat! During the 4 hours that she was interested in us, no less than 4 males came by to check her out. She was clearly of great interest to the male whales but she was totally and thoroughly engaged in watching us. As you can imagine we were clearly very interested in her. We weren't sure who was doing the watching, Crazy or us but in the end we decided it was both of us. This was a very special experience and one I will treasure for the rest of my life!

    Buildings

    I will never forget one of the most unreal sights during a research day in the early '90s near the Dampier Archipelago. As we travelled slowly across our survey area we spied a blow - we were thrilled, we would be in the mix with whales that day. As we picked up the pace approaching the blow - about 2.5 nautical miles away - I couldn't believe my eyes as a dark shape, like a building, slowly appeared vertically out of the water. It extended to between 6 and 7 metres above the surface and then moments later, just as calmly, the "building" slipped back underwater again. "Did you see that?" I asked Curt as I rubbed my eyes. With 1 nautical mile to go the whale had coolly and calmly indicated its location with a spyhop, while looking at its surroundings.

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    Meet the

    Crew

    image/svg+xml

    The Ship's Crew

    Skipper

    Cetacean Spotter, Security

    Skipper is a Jack Russell Terrier who has fine-tuned his superior canine observation skills towards cetacean spotting.

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    Skipper

    Cetacean Spotter, Security

    Skipper is a Jack Russell Terrier who has fine-tuned his superior canine observation skills towards cetacean spotting. He can hear the soft puff of a spinner dolphin blow from hundreds of metres away and spends his time at sea on high alert, ever ready to notify the research team of any cetaceans in the area. While in port, skipper moves into security mode, maintaining a constant vigil over his domain. Many a rat, two legged and four, has turned away at the charge of our fearless little friend.

    Micheline Jenner

    Secretary, Treasurer, Principal Investigator

    Micheline-Nicole Jenner received her B.Sc. in Zoology and M.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

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    Micheline Jenner

    Secretary, Treasurer, Principal Investigator

    Micheline-Nicole Jenner received her B.Sc. in Zoology and M.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

    Micheline has always had a passion for observing and photographing marine animals and a thirst for adventure. Together, Micheline and her husband Curt have been on over 60 different research expeditions all over the world. Micheline received the Lowell Thomas Award in 2010 from the Explorers Club for ground-breaking research conducted on a pocket population of pygmy blue whales visiting the Perth Canyon, Western Australia.

    Micheline is fascinated by the life histories, reproductive rates and behaviour of known individual humpback whales and the ecology of rarely observed offshore cetacean species. As a master mariner Micheline delights in being offshore collecting photographic research material.

    Curt Jenner

    Managing Director, Principal Investigator

    Curt Jenner received his B.Sc. in marine biology from the University of Alberta, Canada. Growing up in Edmonton, Canada, Curt never laid eyes on the ocean until the age of 17 but has been hooked ever since.

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    Curt Jenner

    Managing Director, Principal Investigator

    Curt Jenner received his B.Sc. in marine biology from the University of Alberta, Canada. Growing up in Edmonton, Canada, Curt never laid eyes on the ocean until the age of 17 but has been hooked ever since.

    Curt's interests include population biology of humpback whales and blue whales, their migratory pathways, and the relationship of these pathways to oceanographic features. As a master mariner with over 20 years of sea time, his strong sailing background has been very useful in these pursuits. In 2010 Curt was awarded the highly regarded Lowell Thomas award by the Explorers Club for ground-breaking research conducted on a pocket population of pygmy blue whales visiting the Perth Canyon, Western Australia.

    Chris "Daffy" Donald

    Defence Sonar Operator, Naval Aviator

    Chris Donald has worked for the Australian Department of Defence for 43 years and joined the navy in 1972 as an airborne sonar operator. Chris is fascinated by underwater acoustics and has worked closely with the Centre for Whale Research on the RV Whale Song for close to 3 years.

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    Chris "Daffy" Donald

    Defence Sonar Operator, Naval Aviator

    Chris Donald has worked for the Australian Department of Defence for 43 years and joined the navy in 1972 as an airborne sonar operator. Chris is fascinated by underwater acoustics and has worked closely with the Centre for Whale Research on the RV Whale Song for close to 3 years.

    Chris's last job was sustaining ship qualification testing (SQT) equipment and services and he is interested in looking at new ways of providing the services to minimise detrimental impacts on ship and platform time and maximise educational aspects of each test for crews.

    Dale Peterson

    First Mate, Engineer

    With a BSCE, MC4, MED2, STCW, the "Old Sea Dog" has been with the Centre for Whale Research since the 90's (when he wasn't sailing his own boat).

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    Dale Peterson

    First Mate, Engineer

    With a BSCE, MC4, MED2, STCW, the "Old Sea Dog" has been with the Centre for Whale Research since the 90's (when he wasn't sailing his own boat).

    With 2,000,000 nautical miles under his belt, two round-the-world trips and one from the Antarctic to Alaska, he has been on most of the world's oceans. Previous to CWR, Dale made a career in offshore oil and gas.

    Douglas Coughran

    Senior Marine Wildlife Officer at Department of Parks and Wildlife

    Doug Coughran co-ordinates the Australian Large Whale Disentanglement Network; Doug is the principal Whale Rescue Officer of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife, and is Australia's leading expert in large whale disentanglement.

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    Douglas Coughran

    Senior Marine Wildlife Officer at Department of Parks and Wildlife

    Doug Coughran co-ordinates the Australian Large Whale Disentanglement Network; Doug is the principal Whale Rescue Officer of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife, and is Australia's leading expert in large whale disentanglement.

    Based in Western Australia, Doug has been rescuing whales and large marine mammals in the southern and northern hemispheres for the past 30 years. Doug is also a keen observer and photographer of all wild animals.

    In 2010 Doug was appointed a member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to conservation, rescuing over 60 whales over three decades.

    Resty Adenir

    Chief Engineer

    Resty graduated from Cavite Satte University in the Philippines in 1989. When the Centre for Whale Research purchased R. V. Whale Song, Resty was already aboard and had served as her Chief Engineer for the previous three years.

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    Resty Adenir

    Chief Engineer

    Resty graduated from Cavite Satte University in the Philippines in 1989. When the Centre for Whale Research purchased R. V. Whale Song, Resty was already aboard and had served as her Chief Engineer for the previous three years. Happily, he agreed to stay with the ship and now has been aboard RV Whale Song for five years doubling as both engineer and hugely talented gourmet chef.

    Resty is a career seaman with a marine engine driver grade 1, stcw95 training and dive medic training. He has 22 years experience working on vessels all around the world, including fishing in the Bering Strait.

    Carrie Skorcz

    Research Associate at Centre for Whale Research

    After receiving a B.Sc. in Marine Biology, Carrie completed her Masters of Science. Her thesis was: 'Understanding Variability: The Implications of Monitoring Dugong Population Trends'.

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    Carrie Skorcz

    Research Associate at Centre for Whale Research

    After receiving a B.Sc. in Marine Biology, Carrie completed her Masters of Science. Her thesis was: 'Understanding Variability: The Implications of Monitoring Dugong Population Trends'.

    Having worked on various cetacean research projects around the world (including orca pod identification in Canada, humpback photo identification in Hawaii and dusky dolphin research in New Zealand), Carrie is now assisting the Centre for Whale Research with the analysis of acoustic datasets.

    Simon Kenion

    Deck Crew, Research Assistant

    Raised on the Mediterranean Island of Mallorca, Simon's affinity with sea life led him into a maritime career. Starting out as a diving instructor, Simon has also worked on super-yachts, as a heavy-lift loadmaster, and as a commercial diver.

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    Simon Kenion

    Deck Crew, Research Assistant

    Raised on the Mediterranean Island of Mallorca, Simon's affinity with sea life led him into a maritime career. Starting out as a diving instructor, Simon has also worked on super-yachts, as a heavy-lift loadmaster, and as a commercial diver. His MC4 and Yachtmaster Ocean, coupled with his loading and diving experience make him a useful member of the RV Whale Song deck crew. He is also a crack-shot with a satellite-tagging gun.

    When he's not in the water, he's boring the rest of the crew with the fruits of his philosophy degree.

    The Film Crew

    Jonathan Rowdon

    Director, Editor

    Jonathan is a multi-award winning editor with many years of experience working across all genres. He spent 10 years at the BBC in London before going freelance.

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    Jonathan Rowdon

    Director, Editor

    Jonathan is a multi-award winning editor with many years of experience working across all genres. He spent 10 years at the BBC in London before going freelance.

    Jonathan has edited and written TV programmes for the BBC, ABC, SBS, Channel 7 Australia, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic, History Channel and History Australia.

    Jonathan has won a BAFTA award and received 2 other BAFTA nominations as well as a number of other awards and nominations, so somebody must like his work.

    Leighton de Barros

    Director, Executive Producer, Camera Operator

    Four-time Emmy Award Nominee Leighton de Barros has over 25 years experience in the television industry and has won more than 15 industry awards. His clients include Discovery US, National Geographic, "Survivor" (CBS) and the BBC Natural History unit.

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    Leighton de Barros

    Director, Executive Producer, Camera Operator

    Four-time Emmy Award Nominee Leighton de Barros has over 25 years experience in the television industry and has won more than 15 industry awards. His clients include Discovery US, National Geographic, "Survivor" (CBS) and the BBC Natural History unit.

    Leighton has produced, directed, written and shot several documentaries, including "Birthplace Of The Giants", "Beast Of The Abyss", "The Search for the Ocean's Super Predator", "Hello Birdy", "Whale Patrol", "On a Wing and a Prayer" and "Shark Bay".

    Leighton is now too old and too scared of sharks to dive and film underwater - so he keeps himself safe and busy by inventing new ways to film underwater without having to get his toes wet.

    Ash Charlton

    Sound Recordist

    Ash specialises in documentary, drama and commercial location sound recording.

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    Ash Charlton

    Sound Recordist

    Ash specialises in documentary, drama and commercial location sound recording.

    Since completing a degree in journalism, film and television, Ash has worked and travelled overseas for the past ten years in Australia, the U.K., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, the Cook Islands, Africa and India.

    Ash has worked for several different production companies including National Geographic, BBC, ABC, Fremantle Media and Fox Sports to name but a few.

    Johnny Sullivan

    Camera Operator

    After 5 years experience as an editor, camera operator, edit assistant and data wrangler in Perth, Australia, Johnny moved to the U.K. to take his career to the next level, but returned specifically to work on Birthplace of the Giants.

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    Johnny Sullivan

    Camera Operator

    After 5 years experience as an editor, camera operator, edit assistant and data wrangler in Perth, Australia, Johnny moved to the U.K. to take his career to the next level, but returned specifically to work on Birthplace of the Giants.

    Johnny's experience to date includes 3 series of the factual tv program "Fishing WA", shown on Channel 7, GWN & Fox's Lifestyle Channel as an editor and camera operator. Johnny has also worked as assistant editor, (both online and offline) and data wrangler for several production companies making documentaries shown worldwide. His experience also extends to feature films, giving him the ability to adapt to a number of different working environments, as well as take a project from start through to completion.

    Johnny is a food lover and much enjoyed Resty's cuisine on the ship. Due to his voracious appetite Whale Song's pantry had to be totally re-stocked after Johnny went ashore!

    Dean Riegner

    Grip, Camera Assistant

    Dean has been involved in the entertainment industry since his early twenties, at first in front of the camera and live performing for appreciative audiences. The role of performer has never really left Dean so he's still very happy holding the floor.

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    Dean Riegner

    Grip, Camera Assistant

    Dean has been involved in the entertainment industry since his early twenties, at first in front of the camera and live performing for appreciative audiences. The role of performer has never really left Dean so he's still very happy holding the floor. Now he's moved behind the camera, Dean’s primary role is as a grip and he uses his extensive construction skills to build all sorts of camera platforms and filming devices. Dean also holds a coxswains certificate and is a competent mariner. He has worked on programs for ABC TV, BBC, PBS, Discovery & National Geographic. A big bloke with a big appetite, Dean gave Johnny fair competition at dinner time and the saving grace for the rest of the crew was that he was too busy eating, which stopped his incessant chatter!

    Production Credits

    Executive Producer

    Jodie De Barros

    Produced By

    Leighton De Barros

    Directed & Written By

    Leighton De Barros

    Jonathan Rowdon

    Production Co-ordinator

    Vicky Funston

    Production Accountant

    Jodie De Barros

    DOP

    Leighton De Barros

    Researchers

    Micheline Jenner

    Micah Jenner

    Lead Graphic Designer

    Joshua Rowdon

    Scientific Contributors

    Micheline Jenner

    Curt Jenner

    Editor/Online/Sound Post

    Jonathan Rowdon

    Digital Producer Consultant

    Rob McGlynn

    Digital Production

    Hungry Sky:

    Nick Lowe

    Minh Tran

    James Strauss

    Co-ordinating Digital Producer

    Joshua Rowdon

    Music Supplied By

    Big Bang & Fuzz

    Footage Provided By

    Sea Dog TV International

    Special Thanks To

    Perth Advocates for the Earth

    Tourism WA

    Department of Parks and Wildlife - Douglas Coughran

    Restituto Adenir

    Christopher Donald

    Carrie Skorcz

    Dale Peterson

    Simon Kenion

    Skipper the Dog

    Russ Andrews

    Wayne and Pam Osborn

    Filmed on Location in Western Australia

    Produced with the Assistance of

    Curt and Micheline Jenner

    Centre for Whale Research (Western Australia) Inc.

     

    Channel Manager

    Jerry Butterfield

    Tourism WA

    Distributed by ABC Commercial

    Developed and Produced with the Assistance of

    Arte France

    Unité Découverte et Connaissance

    Hélène Coldefy

    Catherine Alvaresse

    Sea Dog TV International Pty Ltd

    ©2015 Sea Dog TV International Pty Ltd, Screenwest Inc.

    All Rights Reserved © Sea Dog TV International 2015.