TWO humpback whales have been observed for the first time having sex — and they were both male.
The marine mammals have been extensively studied for decades — but their sexual behaviour has remained mostly a mystery.
Two humpback whales have been observed for the first time having sex — and they were both male[/caption]
The marine mammals have been extensively studied for decades — but their sexual behaviour has remained mostly a mystery[/caption]
That was until two photographers on a boating trip off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, in January 2022 saw two whales heading towards their vessel.
One was thin, covered in whale lice and displaying signs of poor health.
The healthier one repeatedly approached the other and used its pectoral fins to hold the injured whale in place while initiating shallow, brief penetrations.
The two whales circled the boat numerous times, allowing the photographers, Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano, to snatch pictures.
It is illegal to swim with or go within 100 yards of humpback whales in Hawaii.
The Pacific Whale Foundation said: “What they stumbled upon was an unprecedented observation.
“The groundbreaking photographs captured by Krannichfeld and Romano provide an unparalleled glimpse into the private lives of these majestic marine mammals.
“Although this is the first time it has been reported for humpback whales, homosexual behaviour is common in the animal kingdom and well documented for many species of cetaceans.
“The first documented copulation between humpback whales adds valuable details and knowledge toward our understanding of these magnificent creatures, offering fresh insights into the reproductive behaviour of this species.”
The Pacific Whale Foundation said: ‘What they stumbled upon was an unprecedented observation’[/caption]
The source added: ‘The groundbreaking photographs provide an unparalleled glimpse into the private lives of these majestic marine mammals’[/caption]
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