whales Archives

Isabela surfacing to breathe in the waters of Chile's Gulf of Corcovado (Courtesy of Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete/Blue Whale Center)

Where Do Blue Whales Go to Breed?

August 12, 2022August 11, 2022 Science Connectedconservation, ecology, marine life, sea life, whale breeding, whales

Blue whales are the largest animal on Earth, yet the breeding grounds of these elusive creatures remained a mystery for a long time…until now.

Humpback whale breaching off the coast of Baja California. Winter Break 2015-2016

Marine and Freshwater Biology Nature Photography Zoology

Magnificent Humpback Whales of Los Cabos

September 20, 2021September 20, 2021 Science Connectedwhales, wildlife photography

Travel to Baja California with wildlife photographer Max Goldberg and see his photos of the humpback whales. The humpback whales migrate to the area to breed.

Old Threats Cause New Harm to Endangered Right Whales

Environment Oceanography Zoology

Old Threats Still Endangering Right Whales

September 13, 2016September 14, 2016 Science Connectedendangered species, extinction, whales

By Emily Rhode @riseandsci After decades of recovery from the brink of extinction, the North Atlantic right whale is once again under serious threat from human activity. But this time the decline is not due to overhunting the animals (once prized for being the “right” whales because of their slow speed and tendency to float on the surface when killed). After a long struggle to recover, injury or death from entanglement in fishing gear and a dramatic decrease in whale births have turned this once hopeful success story into a…

Biology Oceanography Zoology

Search for the Unicorn—Slightly Off-Center

April 13, 2016April 6, 2021 Science Connectednarwhal, teeth, whales

In medieval times, the narwhal tusk was bought and sold as a “unicorn horn.” It is actually a very long tooth, but it is still very cool. By Mark Lasbury, PhD Zootopia opened in movie theaters on March 4, 2016. Among all the animals featured in this feature, you probably recall a few sporting horns. But did you happen to spot any unicorns? Mythical Unicorns The earliest writings that describe unicorns were those of the Greek writer Ctesias, in the late fifth century BCE. He described the Indian ass, an…

A stranded humpback whale carcass in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Humpback whales were among the Alaska marine mammals that showed exposure to algal toxins, according to new research. Photo credit: Kathy Burek-Huntington, Alaska Veterinary and Pathology Services.

Biology Environment Zoology

Algal Toxins Found in Alaskan Marine Mammals

March 14, 2016March 8, 2016 Science Connectedecology, environment, marine mammals, polution, sea life, whales

By Neha Jain @lifesciexplore Harmful algal blooms produce toxins that can be deadly to marine mammals. In the US, such toxins—unheard of 20 years ago—have caused almost half of all unusual marine mammal deaths in the last two decades, particularly among California sea lions. Now, for the first time scientists have discovered algal toxins farther north in Alaskan marine mammals; the mammals’ health can be jeopardized by these toxins. “What really surprised us was finding these toxins so widespread in Alaska, far north of where they have been previously documented…

A grey whale with scars on its tail flukes, possibly the result of a collision with a marine vessel. Image credit: Ricardo Antunes.

Environment Oceanography Zoology

Protecting Marine Mammals with Maritime Tracking

February 29, 2016March 17, 2021 Science Connectedmarine life, marine mammals, oceans, sea animals, whales

Whales and other marine mammals are often struck by ships, sometimes with fatal results. Researchers and shipping companies may protect them.