Whales displaying courtship behaviour

Tue, 05 Sep 2017

By Eco Ranger Paul

Humpback Whale Courtship

Initially it appeared that today's Humpbacks were sunning themselves lazily in the balmy spring weather. The first hour was quiet with elusive pods taking 15 minute dives and popping up kilometres away, but this would all suddenly change.

We received word from the Cape Moreton Whale Watch that there was a large pod west of Flinders Reef, so we made the decision to leave the diving individuals behind and motor towards them. When we arrived, the guests and staff alike were overwhelmed at the sight of 4 pods circling in the area. We switched off the motors and sat there idle floating in the coral sea serenity, to then be approached by pod after pod. These guys were rolling around directly under and around the boat in what looked like they were trying to interact with us. A total of 12 individuals were within these pods. Within this, we got to witness spy hops, pec slaps, rolling around, and what seemed to be courtship behaviour too.

In all, it was an incredible afternoon aboard the Tangalooma Flyer, and everyone walked off the boat with even more respect for these majestic giants.

About the author

Eco Ranger Paul

Paul is one of the many passionate Eco Rangers at Tangalooma Island Resort's Marine Education and Conservation Centre. Paul also loves to jump aboard our Whale Watching Cruise and commentate to our guests on the amazing whale behaviour they are witnessing.

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