Rare 'headstand' by whale captured on video by YouTuber in the open ocean
PTC News Desk: An extraordinary spectacle unfolded as Australian kayaker and nature enthusiast Brodie Moss captured a humpback whale performing a rare 'headstand' in the middle of the ocean. In a captivating video shared on YouTube, Moss finds himself paddling in a transparent kayak when he stumbles upon the astonishing sight of a massive humpback whale's tail fin jutting out of the water's surface.
While Moss's heart races audibly in the video's background, he exclaims, "I think that's a whale tail. It's just come up and stuck its tail up, and it's not going anywhere. I don't even know what to say."
The intriguing footage also includes mesmerizing underwater shots of the whale as it executes the headstand in the water, while its offspring rests nearby.
Addressing the whales in a friendly tone, Moss says, "I don't really know what you guys are doing but I'm friendly. Thanks for coming to say hello to me."
Termed "tail sailing," this behavior is a rare phenomenon occasionally witnessed in humpbacks, gray whales, bowhead whales, and right whales, according to Science Alert. The behavior's underlying motivation remains elusive, although speculation suggests it might be connected to resting. Similar to how humpbacks sleep vertically in the water column, a mother whale may adopt this posture to keep a watchful eye on her calf.
Additionally, the maneuver might serve a thermoregulatory purpose. By angling their lower bodies into the wind, warm-blooded whales could potentially manage their body temperature more effectively.
This captivating encounter sheds light on the enigmatic behaviors of these majestic creatures, offering a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of marine life.
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- With inputs from agencies
