• Home
  • About
  • Our Seals
  • Viewing Guidelines
  • Volunteer

Kaua'i Seals

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Monk Seal Monday #161: R7AA Cont.
Field Report: March 2022 »

Whale Wednesday #1: Tail-Sailing.

April 7, 2022 by Kauai HMS Conservation Hui

A few weeks ago, a subadult Humpback whale was sighted off Na Pali Coast, floating stationary in the water, head down, the tip of its fluke visible above the waterline. At first, boat crews were concerned the whale was injured or entangled, however, no entangling gear was present, and no wounds were visible. During the ensuing weeks the same whale (confirmed by photographs of its fluke and various body scars) was seen in the same position–fluke just visible above the waterline–close to shore near Port Allen, Makahuena Point, Anahola, Kipu Kai, and in Hanamaulu a mere 30 yards from the pier. Dennis Fujimoto took photos and wrote this short piece in TGI.

Jamie Thomton, Kauai Marine Mammal Response Coordinator with NOAA, observed the whale and reported it was is in good body condition with no signs of injury. Its pattern of behavior was to pose in a vertical position for about 10 minutes, then back to normal logging/breathing position for 10 minutes, repeat. There have been no further sightings. 

Turns out, this behavior, while rarely seen in Humpback whales, is common in Southern right whales, according to this article in the UK’s Daily Mail, and it’s called “tail-sailing.” Scientists aren’t 100 percent certain why whales tail-sail, but it could have something to do with thermoregulation, suggests Ed Lyman Ed Lyman, Resource Protection Specialist for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, is quoted in the article. But, he says, it’s not necessarily a posture for navigation as the word, “sail” may indicate.

This is just a reminder that there’s much we don’t know about marine mammals. It’s always good to report unusual behavior. In this case, while unusual, it was normal.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Uncategorized |

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Archives

    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • October 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • November 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • October 2014
    • May 2014
    • January 2014
    • August 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • September 2012
    • July 2012
    • April 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • November 2010
    • September 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
  • Categories

    • 3CU
    • 3CX
    • 6FA
    • 6FD/6FH
    • 7AU
    • G13
    • G28
    • K52/K53
    • K54/K55
    • K56/K57
    • Kaikoa/A00
    • Ke Kai Ola
    • KG54
    • KP2
    • Mahalo-eha/RA36
    • Momona/RA20
    • N1AA
    • NGOO
    • NH00
    • NL04
    • Noho/RA16
    • PK5
    • Pohaku/RO28
    • R00K
    • R012
    • R028
    • R1KD
    • R1KM
    • R1KT
    • R1KU
    • R1KY
    • R1N1
    • R1NS
    • R2XS
    • R2XW
    • R313
    • R316
    • R330
    • R332
    • R336
    • R339
    • R340
    • R347
    • R351
    • R353
    • R367
    • R371
    • R376
    • R3CD
    • R3CX
    • R400
    • R402
    • R406
    • R407
    • R4DD
    • R4DP
    • R4DW
    • R4KI
    • R5AY
    • R5EW
    • R6AP
    • R6AW
    • R6FM/6FN
    • R6FQ
    • R6FY
    • R7AA
    • R7GM
    • R8HD
    • R8HE
    • R8HP
    • R8HY
    • RB00
    • RB14
    • RB24/Haupu
    • RF22
    • RF28
    • RF30
    • RF58
    • RG13
    • RG22
    • RG28
    • RG58
    • RH38
    • RH58
    • RH80
    • RH92
    • RI15
    • RI37
    • RJ22
    • RJ28
    • RJ36
    • RK02
    • RK05
    • RK12
    • RK13
    • RK14
    • RK22
    • RK28
    • RK30
    • RK31
    • RK36 (4DI/4DJ)
    • RK42
    • RK58
    • RK90
    • RKA2
    • RKA4
    • RKA6
    • RL08
    • RL10
    • RL14
    • RL17
    • RL24
    • RL28
    • RL30
    • RL40
    • RL52
    • RL58
    • RM28
    • RM36
    • RM58
    • RN02
    • RN30
    • RN44
    • RO18
    • RP20
    • RP28
    • RP32
    • RT12
    • RV18
    • RW02
    • RW22
    • T319
    • T320
    • Temp 325
    • Temp 337
    • Temp 365
    • Temp361
    • Temp606
    • temp607
    • TT40
    • Uncategorized
    • V15
    • V17
    • V2
    • V23
    • V28
    • V76
    • YF95/R8HD

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Kaua'i Seals
    • Join 3,164 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Kaua'i Seals
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: