Footage Shows 40-Ton Humpback Whale Breaching Completely Out Of Ocean

Feb 17, 2020 by apost team

The scuba diver Craig Capehart filmed an impressive video of a full-grown humpback whale jumping completely out of the water off the coast of Mbotyi, South Africa.

Capehart and four other scuba divers were hunting for sardines off the coast of Mbotyi, South Africa, reports Cape Town Magazine. They had decided to take advantage of the South African Sardine Run in the hopes of seeing some of the Indian Ocean’s predators in action since all those sardines attract animals like dolphins, sharks, and sea birds.

While they didn’t see many sardines, the divers saw many humpback whales, which were also migrating. As the divers filmed the whales, they saw a mother and her calf swimming together. They also saw an adult whale floating on its back and slapping its flippers.

To their astonishment, they then saw that same 40-ton adult leap out of the water.

apost.com

Capehart noted that great white sharks and dolphins have been seen leaping out of the water, but he had never heard of a full-grown humpback whale doing the same thing.

Scientists call this leaping behavior 'breaching', and they have speculated over why humpbacks and other whales do it. Some hypotheses include stunning prey, competition between males during mating season, or a form of warning.

Humpback whales are known for their singing, which works well for whales that are relatively close. However, they need another mode of communication in order to talk to whales that are further away. Breaching, which produces percussive noises, is that method.

Have you seen a sight like this before? Have you heard of humpback whales breaching? Ask your friends and post your comments in the box below.