Humpback whale lunging during heat run | Megaptera novaeangliae | Vava'u, Tonga

One of several male whales in a heat run, lunging while coming up for a breath of air. Note that the shape of the whale's nostrils resemble the form of a human nose. Humpback whales participating in heat runs sometimes lunge like this during the frenzy of activity. In these instances, the whales usually exhale with force, producing a strong snorting or grunting sound. Sometimes, the exhaling sound resembles a prolonged, low-pitched growl. This type of display is particularly impressive when whales lunge on top of one another, perhaps challenging one another for dominance.

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Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 3888x2592 / 28.9MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; South Pacific Tonga Vava'u Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Marine Mammal Baleen Whale Rorqual Mysticete Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered: IUCN Red List CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Male Heat Run
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity

One of several male whales in a heat run, lunging while coming up for a breath of air. Note that the shape of the whale's nostrils resemble the form of a human nose. Humpback whales participating in heat runs sometimes lunge like this during the frenzy of activity. In these instances, the whales usually exhale with force, producing a strong snorting or grunting sound. Sometimes, the exhaling sound resembles a prolonged, low-pitched growl. This type of display is particularly impressive when whales lunge on top of one another, perhaps challenging one another for dominance.