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Whale Behaviors (Common) 2010

Breaching, Lobtail, Flippering, Spyhop, Headstand, Backup

Breaching is considered the most incredible behavior in the animal kingdom.  While all species of whales breach, humpback whales are the most likely to be observed.  There are several types of breaching: spinning head breach, chin breach, pull breach and tail breach.

A spinning breach is defined as a whale landing on its side, belly or back while using its flippers away from the body.  Body rotation up to 360 degrees can be observed.

A chin breach is observed as the whale with flippers close to body coming nearly straight up in air and slamming its chin on the surface.

A tail breach is usually preceded by a humpback whale holding both flippers straight out from the body and then hurling its tail out of the water, off to either side.

Lobtail

Lobtail or Lobtailing is defined as a whale slamming its fluke on the water over and over with its head down.  Humpbacks do this while on their bellies or backs.

Flippering

A humpback flipper is nearly 16 feet in length.  It can hit the water with its flipper while on its side or on its back.  Double flippering can only be seen when the whale is  on its back.

Spyhop

The whale rises straight up and back down, sometimes the eye becomes visible.  There is also a spinning spyhop when the whale rotates slowly while keeping the head out.

Headstand

The whale rises vertically tail first.  The tail reenters the water vertically or by falling on its side.

Backup

The whale surfaces tail first and the backing motion continues as the tail stock, dorsal fin, back and head reach the surface.

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