Tag

Baleen Whales

All articles tagged with #baleen whales

science23 days ago•4 min saved

Humpback Mother Keeps Vigil Over Stillborn Calf, Sparking Grief Debate

Researchers document a humpback whale mother staying with her deceased newborn calf after a stillbirth off Australia’s Gold Coast, an observation that may be the first detailed case of such behavior in humpbacks. The mother repeatedly touched the calf and remained nearby for hours, suggesting postmortem attentive behavior and highlighting strong maternal bonds in baleen whales. While this raises the question of whether whales grieve, scientists caution that the emotional state cannot be confirmed and that more at-sea observations are needed to understand how whales respond to death.

via The Guardian|

#baleen-whales #epimeletic-behavior #grief

science1 month ago•12 min saved

Six-year Monterey Bay hydrophone reveals humpbacks rise, blue whales lag after marine heat wave

A single hydrophone 891 meters deep in Monterey Canyon collected six years of continuous whale-song data, showing humpback songs climbed from 34% to 76% of days while blue whale songs dipped during and after a marine heat wave—reflecting prey-driven, species-specific foraging responses and illustrating how long-term acoustic monitoring can serve as an ocean-health indicator.

via Space Daily|

#acoustic-monitoring #baleen-whales #marine-heat-wave

environment1 month ago•3 min saved

Giant Whales Flock to Ice-Free East Greenland as Sea Ice Recedes

Warming seas are melting sea ice along East Greenland, enabling baleen whales (humpback, fin, and minke) to feed in previously ice-covered waters. A decades-long study combining aerial surveys, satellite tagging, and Inuit observations reports thousands of whales in Greenland's summer 2024, signaling a major ecological regime shift as these species opportunistically exploit the new habitat; it’s unclear if numbers reflect population growth or redistribution, and while some Arctic species benefit, others like narwhals and belugas may lose habitat.

via BBC|

#arctic #baleen-whales #climate-change

science2 months ago•48 min saved

From land to ocean: the sweeping evolution of whales

This review traces cetacean evolution from early Eocene land- and river-edge ancestors in Indo-Pakistan to today’s diverse baleen and toothed whales, highlighting major transitions (limb reduction, aquatic locomotion, high-frequency hearing and echolocation, and feeding innovations) and macroevolutionary patterns that shaped their diversification, while outlining unresolved questions and guiding priorities for future research.

via Nature|

#baleen-whales #cetaceans #evolution

science11 months ago•5 min saved

Baleen Whales Enhance Ocean Productivity by Up to 10%

A new study shows baleen whales significantly boost ocean primary productivity by excreting nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which enhances the growth of phytoplankton and benefits the entire marine food web, with potential implications for climate regulation.

via Phys.org|

#baleen-whales #marine-ecosystems #nutrient-recycling

science1 year ago•6 min saved

Breakthrough: Minke Whales Proven to Hear Ultrasonic Frequencies

For the first time, researchers have captured baleen whales to study their hearing, revealing that minke whales can hear at higher frequencies than previously thought. This discovery, published in Science, suggests that these whales may use ultrasonic hearing to avoid predators like killer whales. The study, which involved capturing and testing two juvenile minke whales off Norway, has sparked controversy over potential stress and harm to the animals. The findings could influence regulations on ocean noise, as high-frequency sounds from human activities may impact whale behavior and health.

via NBC News|

#baleen-whales #conservation #hearing-study

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unraveling the Mystery of Baleen Whale Songs: How Scientists Solved the Underwater Serenade"

Scientists have discovered how baleen whales, such as humpbacks, produce their haunting songs using a specialized "voice box" that recycles air and prevents water from being inhaled. This discovery also explains why human-made ocean noise disrupts whale communication, as their songs overlap with ship noise. The study provides crucial insight for the conservation of these endangered giants of the sea and sheds light on the evolutionary adaptations that enabled whales to communicate underwater.

via BBC.com|

#baleen-whales #evolutionary-adaptation #marine-mammal-communication

science2 years ago•3 min saved

Uncovering the Underwater Songs of Baleen Whales

Scientists have discovered the unique anatomy behind the haunting songs of baleen whales, revealing that they use a larynx modified with a cushion of fat and muscle to produce sounds underwater. This novel structure allows baleen whales to communicate and find each other in dark oceans, with humpback whales using vocalization for communication and mating. The study also found that human-made shipping noises interfere with the whales' ability to communicate, as their vocalizations fall within the same frequency range and ocean depths.

via Reuters|

#baleen-whales #larynx-anatomy #marine-mammals

science-and-environment2 years ago•4 min saved

"Uncovering the Secrets of Whales' Underwater Singing and the Impact of Shipping Noise"

Scientists have discovered how baleen whales are able to sing underwater, shedding light on the impact of shipping noise pollution on their communication abilities. The study found that baleen whales use specialized larynxes to produce massive air flows and low-frequency sounds, crucial for long-distance communication. Shipping noise, falling within the same frequency range, disrupts whale communication and poses a threat to their survival. Efforts to regulate shipping speed and reduce noise pollution are underway, but consumer demand for fast shipping adds complexity to the issue. Ongoing research and collaboration with maritime industry and government agencies are crucial for finding solutions to protect marine wildlife.

via ABC News|

#baleen-whales #communication #marine-mammals

science2 years ago•2 min saved

Uncovering the Secrets of Whales' Underwater Singing

A recent study published in the journal Nature has shed light on how baleen whales produce sounds using their vocal cords. By conducting experiments on the larynx of three deceased whales, scientists discovered that the whales' larynx has evolved to accommodate their need to expel large amounts of air quickly while breathing at the sea surface. This adaptation allows them to produce the diverse range of sounds, including singing and whistling, that have intrigued humans for centuries.

via The New York Times|

#baleen-whales #larynx #marine-biology

paleontology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Surprising Discovery: Ancient Jaw Bone Rewrites Evolutionary History of Largest Whales"

A 19-million-year-old fossil jaw bone discovered in South Australia suggests that the evolution of large baleen whales occurred much earlier than previously thought. The fossil, estimated to be from a nine-meter-long baleen whale, challenges the belief that baleen whales remained relatively small until the ice ages. Fossil finds from the Southern Hemisphere indicate that larger baleen whales may have emerged earlier in their evolutionary history, with the region potentially serving as the cradle of gigantic whale evolution. The findings shed light on the ancient role of whales in the ocean ecosystem and their potential response to global climate change.

via Phys.org|

#baleen-whales #evolution #fossil-discovery

paleontology2 years ago•4 min saved

Unexpected Discovery: Ancient Fossil Rewrites Evolutionary History of Baleen Whales

A 19-million-year-old fossil jaw bone discovered on the banks of the Murray River in South Australia suggests that the evolution of large baleen whales may have occurred much earlier than previously thought. The fossil, estimated to be from a nine-meter-long baleen whale, challenges the belief that baleen whales remained relatively small until the ice ages. The discovery, along with other fossils from the Southern Hemisphere, indicates that larger baleen whales may have emerged earlier in their evolutionary history. This finding suggests that the Southern Hemisphere played a significant role in the evolution of gigantic whales.

via The Conversation|

#baleen-whales #evolution #fossil-discovery

science3 years ago•1 min saved

The Mystery of Whales' Seaweed Hats Unveiled as Over 100 Creatures Join the Trend

Scientists have discovered that whales wear seaweed for various reasons, including itch relief, barnacle removal, and potentially for fun. A study focused on baleen whales found that the seaweed is often worn in front of the blowhole or on the dorsal fin. Seaweed has antibacterial properties that could benefit the whales. The researchers suggest that this behavior may serve additional purposes such as learning, socializing, and skin treatment. The study highlights the need for further research on these giant marine creatures, with the hope that increased use of drones and cameras will provide more insights into this behavior.

via The US Sun|

#antibacterial-properties #baleen-whales #marine-science

paleontology3 years ago•2 min saved

Ancient Marine Reptile Unveils Whale-Like Filter-Feeding

A new fossil discovery in China reveals that the marine reptile Hupehsuchus, which lived 250 million years ago, had adaptations for whale-like filter feeding. The skull of Hupehsuchus shows soft structures that allowed it to engulf water containing prey and baleen whale-like structures to filter food. The discovery suggests that these reptiles independently evolved a form of baleen, similar to modern baleen whales. This finding sheds light on the rapid re-population of the oceans after the end-Permian mass extinction and the ecological changes that occurred during the Early Triassic period.

via Phys.org|

#baleen-whales #evolution #filter-feeding

marine-biology3 years ago•5 min saved

Unveiling the Mystery: Pygmy Right Whales' Feeding Habits Revealed

Scientists have gained new insights into the feeding habits of pygmy right whales, the smallest and most mysterious species of baleen whales. Using an innovative approach that analyzed stable isotopes in the whales' baleen plates, researchers discovered that these whales primarily feed on copepods and krill in mid-latitude waters off the coast of southern Australia. Unlike other baleen whales, they do not undertake long-distance migrations to Antarctic waters. The study highlights the vulnerability of pygmy right whales to environmental changes and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts to protect these unique oceanic creatures.

via Earth.com|

#baleen-whales #conservation #feeding-habits