This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 12:32 am and is filed under About, History, Information, Migration, Sites, Snorkeling, Snuba, Watching, Whales. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
They beat the water with a nearly rhythmic sound. Sometimes inverted, sometimes not. Males do it, females do it, and even the calves do it. Why? The reasons and circumstances can be many. Sometimes during a competition, males may all begin. Researchers speculate it may be a testament of strength and power, announcing territory, showing dominance and many other reasons. Calves practice until they get it right. Mothers show the calves how to do this behavior right. Whatever the reason, to witness such a show of power and strength is something that whale watchers never forget.
Researchers tell us that the group of muscles that run from the tail into the body is called the peduncle group. These muscles are very fibrous and strong, similar in structure to the group of muscles in a kangaroo’s tail. It is this group of muscles that the calves work on very quickly trying to thrust their bodies out of the water in a sloppy breach or head slap until they perfect their skills. This group of muscles also propels a large animal (one ton per foot) out of the water to land in a resounding splash that can be heard for quite a ways.
Whale watching in Hawaii is in full swing with Maui County being the hot spot. Researchers tell us that this area is favored by over half of the population that comes to Hawaii. Planning a trip this way? Better hurry! Every day whales are leaving the area, but calves are still being born. We’ll save you a seat!
