Ukrainian polar explorers showed how humpback whales poke their huge heads out of the ocean. This type of behavior is called spyhopping. The corresponding video today, June 30, was published on the Facebook page of the National Antarctic Science Center.
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At this point, the whale is positioned vertically or at a slight angle in the water, raising its head and eyes above the surface. Before diving back into the ocean, the animal can turn 90-180 degrees, the NANC said. — To understand the size: the length of the humps is about 15 meters, and the head takes up a quarter of their body.
It is noted that, in addition to humpback whales, such behavior in the Antarctic can often be observed in killer whales, looking for penguins and seals in this way, which they then wash off from the ice with waves of water or with the help of other manipulations.
Both whales and killer whales see well enough above the surface of the water, so “espionage” gives them the opportunity to receive additional information about what is happening around them, the NASC notes. – In particular, they may be interested in the researchers in the boat and their work – it was at such a moment that the video was shot.
The National Academy of Sciences noted that the study of whales is one of the areas of work of scientists at the Ukrainian Antarctic station “Akademik Vernadsky”. The program for studying these animals, in particular, includes their photo identification, biopsy sampling and sound recording.
Humpback whales feast near the Akademik Vernadsky station (PHOTO)
Source: Racurs
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