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Humpback Whale Chase Of Dolphin Explained

humpback whale chases dolphin
Humpback whale chases dolphin off the coast. Image by Jen Fitschen.

If you watch this video you may think the Humpback Whale chases the dolphin around the ocean relentlessly. But this is how a video can be taken out of context very quickly. I was lucky enough to be the person who filmed this incredible encounter and would love to share my behind the scene info!

Read to the end to watch the video!

Does this occur naturally?

© Dr. Louis M. Herman. – NOAA Photo Library

Yes, yes it does. I had just hopped in off the boat and was floating around when a big group of dolphins passed by. They were making such melodious sounds and darting around playfully. The group started getting sparser and I naturally assumed most of the pod had past. But I was wrong!

What happened next knocked my socks off!

Pair of Happy Dolphins
Pair of Happy Dolphins. Image via Depositphotos

Next second, a giant Humpback whale appeared and passed by underneath me! Giving me the fright of my life! I remained calm and turned on my GoPro and waited patiently to see if any more were coming my way… A dolphin appeared but instead of darting around playing like usual, this one was once gracefully in a line. Then the whale appeared just after it!

Why do they do this?

Humpback Whale
Humpback whale breaching. Image via Depositphotos

Dolphins love riding waves. They have been spotted surfing along with the surfers in the waves. They love riding bow waves off the front of boat and playing in the wake behind boats. Dolphins never give up a chance at a free ride! This is the same thing! As the whale thrusts itself forward through the water, it creates a push of water forward as well. The dolphin was skillfully riding this underwater wave, cruising along with its friend.

Let’s explore the physical features of the humpback whale to understand them further…

Size

Homosexual Humpback Whales
Credit: Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano

Humpback whales are large marine mammals. They reach lengths of 40-50 feet and weigh up to 40 tons.

Coloration

Homosexual Humpback Whales
Credit: Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano

Their bodies are dark gray or black with distinctive white patches on their bellies and flippers.

Dorsal Fin

Humpback whale tail
humpback whale tail diving on pacific ocean background in cabo san lucas mexico. Image via Deposit Photos

The humpback whale has a small, hooked dorsal fin. It is located about two-thirds of the way back on its body.

Humpback whale breaching
Humpback whale breaching. Image via Depositphotos

Pectoral Fins

Humpback whale under water
Humpback whale under water. Image via Deposit Photos

Humpback whales have long, wing-like pectoral fins that can reach up to 15 feet. This is nearly one-third of their body length!

Bubble Net Feeding
Bubble Net Feeding humpback whale. Image via Depositphotos

Fluke

Humpback whales
Humpback whales tails have unique patterns. Image via Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The tail fluke is broad and flat. It has a unique pattern of notches and coloration on the underside.

humpback whale chases dolphin
Humpback whale chases dolphin off the coast.

Image by Jen Fitschen.

Baleen Plates

Humpback Whale
Humpback whale breaching. Image via Depositphotos

Inside their mouths, humpback whales have baleen plates made of keratin These are used to filter small fish and krill from the water.

Mother and calf Humpback whales.
Mother and calf Humpback whales. Image by ead72 via Depositphotos.

Head

Image via Wikimedia – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

The head of a humpback whale is flat and covered with knob-like protuberances called tubercles.

Blowhole

Humpback Whale
Humpback whale at Disko Bay (Greenland). Image via Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is located on top of their heads. Additionally the blowhole is used for breathing and can create a powerful spout of water when exhaling!

Throat Grooves

Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus 29 July 2010 – It is somewhat rare to see the tail fluke of a Blue Whale upon diving.

Whale Watching on the Dos Osos Sub Sea Tours 34Õ boat http://www.subseatours.com/ 805-772-WIND, 29 July 2010, Morro Bay, CA. Blog: http://whalewatchingsst.blogspot.com/2010/07/rouvaishyanas-log.html Crew: Owner & Captain Kevin Winfield; first-mate Ryan. We saw about four Blue Whales and Dozens of Humpbacks, some very close to the boat.

Photo by ÒMikeÓ Michael L. Baird, mike {at] mikebaird d o t com, flickr.bairdphotos.com, Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 300mm f/2.8 with with Canon EF 1.4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory, Circular Polarizer, handheld, RAW.

To use this photo, see access, attribution, and commenting recommendations at http://www.flickr.com/people/mikebaird/#credit – Please add comments/notes/tags to add to or correct information, identification, etc. Please, no comments or invites with badges, images, multiple invites, award levels, flashing icons, or award/post rules. Critique invited.
Keywords: subseatours,morro bay,whale,whales,whale watching,ocean, whale, 29july2010,
Blue Whale,Balaenoptera musculus

Humpback whales have 14-35 throat grooves that expand when feeding.

Eyes

Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale breaching. Image via Deposit Photos

Their eyes are small, positioned just above the corners of their mouths.

Skin

Humpback whale
Humpback whale. By Giles Laurent – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=142942678

The skin of a humpback whale is smooth and can be marked with scars.

Flippers

whale
Humpback Whale via Unsplash.

The flippers have a scalloped edge and are often covered with barnacles and other parasites.

Blubber

Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale tail. Image via Deposit Photos

A thick layer of blubber insulates humpback whales, helping to regulate their body temperature in cold ocean waters.

Vocal Cords

Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale. Image via Depositphotos

Humpback whales are known for their complex songs, produced using vocal cords located deep within their throats.

Eyesight

humpback whale
Humpback whale. Image via Depositphotos

While their eyesight is adapted for seeing in dim underwater conditions, it is also functional above the surface.

The Video

Humpback whale. Image from depositphotos

Be sure to listen with the sound up to hear the dolphins communicating!

Find the link to the video here.

What a sight to see! Truly, I am so grateful for the spontaneous adventures that the ocean has blessed me with. My heart will forever remain in the big blue!

Thank you for following along with me – 

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