Whales, while well observed, remain an extremely perplexing animal to understand. With whale watching becoming popular as both a tourist and enthusiast activity, documentation of whale behaviour is easily achieved and widespread. On any given day, on any given tour, dozens of cameras and camera phones will be at the ready, snapping images of behaviours such as lobtailing, spy-hopping, and of course, the iconic breaching phenomenon. And yet the purpose of these awesome manoeuvres still remains speculation.
Lobtailing
Lobtailing, a behaviour actually shared with several other large-finned species, involves the whale lifting its tail high out of the water before slapping back down against the water. A movement of immense power, lobtailing is magnificent and intimidating in the same instance, and researchers speculate it may be a method of communication or perhaps a display of aggression to scare off bull whales or even excited observers. Regardless of its purpose, lobtailing is a sight to behold. It is, among other common behaviours, regularly seen by whale watching operators in Sydney.
Lobtailing
Lobtailing, a behaviour actually shared with several other large-finned species, involves the whale lifting its tail high out of the water before slapping back down against the water. A movement of immense power, lobtailing is magnificent and intimidating in the same instance, and researchers speculate it may be a method of communication or perhaps a display of aggression to scare off bull whales or even excited observers. Regardless of its purpose, lobtailing is a sight to behold. It is, among other common behaviours, regularly seen by whale watching operators in Sydney.
Lobtailing whale capture on board Ocean Extreme
