Humpback Whale Calf Playing | Megaptera novaeangliae

This is the view from beneath a male humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) playing at the ocean surface. The calf had just lifted its caudal region out of the water, then flipped over so that his belly was facing upward while he spun his body around. This had the effect of whipping his fluke in a circle, leaving a wake of bubbles, froth and whitewater as seen here. This type of play behavior is typical among healthy humpback whale calves.

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Contained in galleries: Humpback Whales Underwater

This is the view from beneath a male humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) playing at the ocean surface. The calf had just lifted its caudal region out of the water, then flipped over so that his belly was facing upward while he spun his body around. This had the effect of whipping his fluke in a circle, leaving a wake of bubbles, froth and whitewater as seen here. This type of play behavior is typical among healthy humpback whale calves.