Only the fittest and fastest male will win the female

Wed, 30 Aug 2017

By Eco Ranger Tessa

Humpback Whale Heat Run

9 adult Humpback whales thrilled guests on today's whale watch cruise! The Tangalooma Flyer cruised to waters north of Cape Moreton, where we discovered multiple pods. The first pod included two adult Humpbacks that gracefully surfaced towards the open ocean waters. We then sighted a more surface active pod in the distance. We approached this pod and were so excited to see a heat run! A heat run occurs when several males charge after a female, to ultimately mate with her. Only the fittest and fastest male will win. It was epic to see the competitive males charging and trying to knock out their components by bumping into each other. The whales soon began to fire up with their spectacular behaviours as they breached, tail slapped, and pec slapped in the waters around us!

About the author

Eco Ranger Tessa

Tessa is one of the many Eco Rangers at Tangalooma Island Resort's Marine Education and Conservation Centre. Tessa often joins in on the Whale Watching Cruise as the on board Eco Ranger commentator.

Book Now