The Southern Right Whales have been very visual and active the last few days! It is well worth a drive down to the Cape Point Route to see these amazing creatures or a weekend away on the peninsula. Despite being regular “whale snobs” – we can’t deny how incredible a sight it is to see these enormous creatures leaping out of the water (sometimes twirling around in the air). This action is called breaching and we have been trying to find out WHY whales breach. We know it’s not to breathe – they surface to the water for that!
It seems that there is no specific answer and we have heard all sorts of theories. If anyone knows for sure we’d be grateful if you could enlighten us!
• This action may be done purely for play
• It may be used to loosen skin parasites and other irritations the whale might have.
• Breaching is also believed to be a means of communication with other whales (It has been thought that it may be to transmit a message to members of their group)
• It could be a technique to help them feed by stunning or scaring prey.
• And we’ve heard that it is mating signal – like male birds do to show off in front of their females!
We do know that Southern Right whales are intelligent, inquisitive and sensitive animals, and usually form small social groups of about six related animals. In the breeding season cow and calf pairs can often been seen cavorting in the water together. The way mother and child breach alternately, one after the other, suggests that this and other behaviour may be taught.
Southern rights are willing performers for onlookers, often breaching several times in succession to hit the water again with a cannon-blast sound. Another characteristic behaviour, unique to the right whale, is resting head-down in the water for several minutes with the flukes held aloft, as if hoping to be pushed along by the wind - variously called "sailing" or "head-standing".
Then there's flipper slapping, lobtailing - slapping the tail on the water - and spyhopping, raising the massive head to see above the surface. Their huge curiosity often prompts them to approach boats to investigate - a trait with tragic consequences in the days of the whalers.
Breaching requires a lot of effort! Whales are massive! Southern Right Females are larger than males and average 16.5 metres in length, whilst the males average about 15.2 metres in length. Southern Right whales weigh about 54 000kg!!!
By comparison a Blue Whale (which is the biggest creature on earth) is about 33 metres in length and weighs about 136 – 150 000kg! The African elephant (which is the largest animal on land) is about 3 – 4 metres tall and just over 3 metres in length (not counting it’s trunk) and weighs between 7 500 – 12 000 kg. So a Southern Right Whale jumping out the water is about 5 elephants propelling themselves out the water!
You can view the whales from land (see our blog post on best whale watching spots) or try a boat based whale watching trip. Whale Watching Trip details:
Daily departures (weather dependent): 09h00; 12h00; 14h30
Cost: R800 adults; R500 children
Duration: 3 hours
Departs: Simon’s Town
Bookings: 021 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za
IMAGES:
1. Southern Right Whale Breaching - courtesy of Dave Hurwitz - ST Boat Company
2. Whale Comparison Chart - Google images
3. Southern Right Whale landing after a breach - Google images
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