Common Whale Behaviours
Southern Right Whales
Whale behaviour can differ depending on the whale species you are watching. The information given below is based on Southern Right Whale behaviours as these maginficent mammals are the treasure of each whale season here in Victor Harbor, travelling to our warm southern waters to mate and calve.
Some whale behaviours are the same, but may look different depending on species. If you’d like to know how to tell the difference between whale species check out our guide to which whale is which.
Breaching
one of the most well known and spectacular whale behaviours is breaching. When a whale launches themselves up out of the water then twist and fall back down. It is believed whales do this for several reasons … to communicate, dislodge parasites, get a higher view, drive off predators or just play. Southern Rights usually only breach about three quarters of their bodies out of the water, but others such as Humpbacks can actually jump clear.
Blowing
Whales exhale air from the blowholes on top of their heads at great pressure, causing moisture in their breath to condense and create a cloud or “blow”. Southern Rights have a distinctive V-shaped bushy blow and usually blow every minute or so after being submerged.
Spyhopping
The eyes are set down low in Southern Right Whales because their natural predators and hazards come from below. However, they can lift their head and eyes above the surface when they want to have a look around. This is called spy hopping.
Lobtailing
Tail flukes measure up to 5m across and weigh several tonnes. Whales will often lift them out of the water then back down hard with a loud crack and lots of spray. This is called lobtailing, and is done for several reasons … to communicate, cool down, drive off predators or just for fun.
Pec Slaps
A less strenuous way for whales to communicate, is to lay on their side at the surface and slap the water with their pectoral fin.
Body Rolls
Whales frequently lay upside down, rolling on the surface with their pectoral fins stuck out for balance. Southern Right Whales may engage in this behaviour to rest and stretch, to avoid the demands of a hungry calf or, if a female, the advances of males during courtship.
Tail Lifts
Whales are able to suspend their tails above the water for quite long periods by dropping their heads and maintaining position with their pectoral fins. There are several reasons for this … to just rest, study the area around and below it or catch the wind and actually sail along. Also, if a female, to avoid the demands of a hungry calf, or the advances of males during courtship.
Other Whale Behaviours
Deep Diving: When whales wish to dive deeply or quickly, they will drop their heads, lift their tails out of the water, then swim straight down.
Play: Southern Right whales have been observed playing with other marine species such as seals and dolphins. They have also been known to lift kelp or seaweed from the sea floor and toss it into the air.
Mating: A number of males attempt to mate with each female. She may take evasive action by fleeing into shallow waters or rolling onto her back. Mating is a very brief exercise for Southern Right whales.
