Amazing Video of Humpback Whale ‘Lobtailing’ Near Cape May
This Facebook video, taken last Sunday off the coast of Cape May, is one of the most fascinating things I've ever seen.
Thanks to Duck Menz, the owner of Coastline Realty in Cape May for posting it and letting me use it to show you.
Video Shows a Humpback Whale Repeatedly 'Lobtailing'
The 5-minute video shows a Humpback whale repeatedly lifting its tail out of the water and slapping it down on the ocean, something that is called lobtaling.
I have seen whales do it once or twice in videos from whale-watching boats, but I've never seen anything like this whale. When the whale passed 25 slaps on the surface of the ocean, I lost count.
Different people watching the video have speculated that the whale is playing, showing off, having fun, or, most likely, trying to discourage nearby boaters from coming any closer.
Why a Whale Lobtails
According to consciousbreathingadventures.com, there's a chance any of these things are happening.
Lobtailing is a social behavior that calls attention to an individual. It might be used to impress a potential mate or intimidate a competitor.
Humpback whales will frequently lobtail repeatedly. They can throw their tail front to back, or back to front. Sometimes they’ll stop just long enough to take a breath before continuing on the other side.
Given that an adult humpback whale’s fluke can be up to 15′across, it makes for a very impressive show!
It most certainly is an impressive show.
Watch this amazing video...
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