A team of New England Aquarium researchers has captured stunning photos of humpback whales swimming in perfect synchronization off the coast of Massachusetts. The images, shared by the aquarium, reveal a mesmerizing spiral pattern created by the whales in the waters south of Martha’s Vineyard. But what led these majestic creatures to dance in such harmony? It turns out that this behavior, known as bubble feeding or bubble netting, is a unique hunting technique employed by humpback whales. By coordinating their efforts, the whales blow air bubbles to corral their prey, pushing krill and fish together. Once the fish are trapped, the whales lunge upward through the circular bubble net, capturing their meal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that while different groups of humpback whales use other bubble structures in similar ways, there seems to be some regional specialization in bubble-feeding behaviors among populations.
Among the 16 whales observed bubble feeding this week, one remarkable individual stands out. Salt, a humpback whale estimated to be over 50 years old, was spotted participating in this behavior. Known for her distinctive white-speckled dorsal fin, Salt has been seen in Massachusetts since the mid-1970s and has given birth to an impressive 16 calves. The New England Aquarium expressed excitement over the rare sighting of this iconic female humpback and shared the encounter on their Facebook page. Interestingly, the researchers captured these captivating moments while surveying an area of the ocean where a wind farm is currently under construction. These recent sightings of humpback whales engaging in extraordinary behaviors have garnered significant attention, including synchronized triple breaches off the coast of Cape Cod and swimming alongside a whale-watching boat in California.
Whales Put on Spectacular Display of Synchronized Swimming
A team of researchers from the New England Aquarium captured stunning photographs of humpback whales exhibiting synchronized swimming off the coast of Massachusetts. The images, shared by the aquarium, show the whales creating a beautiful spiral pattern in the water near Martha’s Vineyard. The mesmerizing display is a result of a hunting technique known as bubble feeding or bubble netting.
Bubble feeding is a unique behavior observed in humpback whales. The whales work together to blow air bubbles that effectively corral their prey, which includes krill and fish. Once the prey is trapped, the whales lunge upward through the circular bubble net, engulfing the fish as they break the surface. Different groups of humpback whales use various bubble structures to execute this feeding strategy, with some variations observed among different populations.
Among the 16 whales spotted bubble feeding this week, one particularly notable individual is Salt, a female humpback estimated to be over 50 years old. Salt, known for her distinctive white-speckled dorsal fin, was first sighted in Massachusetts in the mid-1970s and has since given birth to 16 calves. The New England Aquarium expressed its excitement at witnessing Salt and three other whales engaging in bubble feeding off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, describing the experience as a rare treat.
Interestingly, the researchers were able to document this behavior while surveying an area of the ocean where a wind farm is being constructed. This sighting adds to the recent string of remarkable encounters with humpback whales, including a synchronized triple breach off Cape Cod last month and an encounter with a whale-watching boat in California.
In conclusion, the captivating photos of humpback whales swimming in sync off the coast of Massachusetts provide a glimpse into the fascinating feeding behavior of these majestic creatures. Bubble feeding allows the whales to work together to corral and capture their prey, showcasing their intelligence and adaptability. These sightings serve as a reminder of the wonders that can be found in the ocean and the importance of protecting these magnificent animals and their habitats.
