Whales

The narwhal, often called the “unicorn of the sea,” has long fascinated scientists with its spiral tusk. Traditionally believed to play a role in mating displays or competition, new research reveals that the tusk, actually an elongated tooth, serves a far more dynamic purpose.

A study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU's) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (in partnership with the Inuit communities in Nunavut, Canada) has provided groundbreaking insights into narwhal behaviour. 

Traveling up to 5,000 kilometers every year is no mean feat. Every year, humpback whales make this journey without fail: they feed on krill and small fish in the polar regions to build up their fat reserves, then embark on their annual migration to the tropics where some will mate and others will give birth. 

For the pregnant females undertaking this journey, the demands of pregnancy substantially add to the physical challenges they face. A new study published in The Journal of Physiology looks into the energetic burdens they encounter.

Collisions between whales and cargo ships are a significant threat to whale populations, often leaving them little chance of survival. Now, a study published in Science highlights the global scale of the issue: it turns out that shipping routes overlap with 92 percent of the migratory ranges of blue, fin, humpback, and sperm whales.

These ship-mounted thermal imaging cameras identify whale exhalations and bodies, providing real-time alerts to vessel crews. This system enables captains to adjust course or reduce speed, significantly reducing the likelihood of collisions.

WHOI, in collaboration with Hawaii-based Matson Navigation Company, has tested the technology aboard three of Matson’s commercial vessels. Matson contributed $1 million to support the research and development of this innovative system.

A recent study describes how researchers closely observed humpback whales in Southeast Alaska using advanced technology including drones and special tags that monitor their movements and behaviours. What they’ve discovered is fascinating: humpback whales create intricate bubble-nets by releasing air from their blowholes while swimming in circles. These bubbles rise to the surface, forming a net-like structure that traps krill and small fish.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have provided researchers with unprecedented insights into the communication patterns of sperm whales, suggesting a sophisticated language system among these majestic marine mammals. 

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that sperm whales may possess a highly structured form of communication and sheds light on the cognitive abilities of sperm whales, suggesting a level of social complexity previously attributed primarily to humans and some primates.

Marine scientists from Oregon State University have observed a concerning trend in the body size of gray whales off the Pacific Northwest coast. Since around 2000, these whales have shown a significant decrease in length, raising alarms about their overall health and the state of the ecosystem.

Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano observed two whales circling near their boat before joining in sexual activity about five metres below their vessel, off the Molokini crater near Maui. They were able to photograph them, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the intimate lives of these marine giants. Dr. Stephanie H. Stack, marine mammal researcher in Hawaii, published the observations in a study.

In a pioneering study published in Nature Communications, researchers have made significant progress in decoding the communication system of sperm whales, suggesting that their patterns of clicks—known as codas—may be the closest animal equivalent to human language.

This discovery sheds light on the unique physiological adaptations that allow these marine giants to perform such vocal feats.

The research's primary focus involved examining humpback whales' laryngeal anatomy. Researchers found that specific adaptations in the whale's larynx enable it to produce song even without the continuous passage of air, contrary to what is typically required for sound production in most mammals, including humans.