Photo: Whale Watch Western Australia
There is so much that we do not understand about the social behaviors of whales and dolphins. Dolphins off the Australian coast, for example, have been observed wearing sponges as hats in what is believed to be an attempt, though not often necessarily successful, to attract a mate. Likewise, in 1987 off the coast of Washington, at least three groups of teenaged orcas inexplicably began wearing dead salmon as hats. The behavior spread in what appeared to be a “fad” for a few months before disappearing again.
Humpbacks and other baleen whales have been observed “kelping”, balancing seaweed on their rostrum — their flat upper head. In a recent study from Griffith University in Australia, researchers have observed that this behavior is far more common than previously appreciated. Also, while the activity appears playful, it may have other benefits for the whales.
The researchers collected over 100 examples on social media of whales playing with seaweed, known as “kelping”. They note that it’s not just one species – gray whales, southern and northern right whales, and humpback whales all do it.
The headline on Cruise&Ferry.net reads “
Over the weekend of August 26th and 27th, hundreds of volunteers gathered on the shores and on the waters of Loch Ness for what was billed as the largest search for the Loch Ness monster in 50 years. What was discovered during the “quest” weekend?
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded nearly 
Recently, Bertie Gregory, a National Geographic Explorer and host of Animals Up Close on Disney+, observed a remarkable attempt by two humpback whales to protect a seal under attack by a pod of orcas in Antarctica’s Weddell Sea.
On August 13 2023, British endurance swimmer and environmental activist 
An updated repost. There is a line from a Paul Simon song, “these are the days of miracle and wonder.” One might not think to apply that lyric to the events of 9/11, 22 years ago today. Yet for at least part of that strange and horrible day, they fit.
North Korea has unveiled a 
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Panama, the