When long-finned pilot whales detect a threat, they use synchronised swimming as a defence mechanism.
In a 7-year study uniting the University of Aberdeen, Doñana Biological
Station (CSIC) and Conservation, Information and Study on Cetaceans
(CIRCE) groups, pilot whales from two different populations were
observed. The group living in the Strait of Gibraltar were regularly
exposed to threats suc
h as boats, while
the other group lived in Cape Breton (Canada) and were less threatened
by these threats. The goal of the study was to learn more about the
social structure of these whales and how mothers teach their young about
dangers.
The researchers noted that both whale populations
always reacted collectively to potential threats. "When we arrived at
the watching area they were swimming at their normal rhythm but after 10
or 15 minutes near to them, the mothers and their young began to swim
in a synchronized manner in alert position," explained Renaud de
Stephanis (Biological Station of Doñana and co-author of the study).
They also found that these whales have permanent relationships in their
group, never leaving and joining another.
Unsurprisingly, the
presence of boats and other vessels disturbs diving behaviour.
Researchers found the longer they spent near a population, the longer
those whales stayed submerged. This in turns other important damaging
effects. "This behavioral change could affect their energy levels, since
they then have to make more of an effort to protect themselves and
their young. In turn this limits hunting time, which means that they
cannot feed their young properly," says de Stephanis.
Photo credit: Renaud de Stephanis.
For those who would like to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/Uld5la
Other sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.redorbit.com/news/
When long-finned pilot whales detect a threat, they use synchronised swimming as a defence mechanism.
In a 7-year study uniting the University of Aberdeen, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) and Conservation, Information and Study on Cetaceans (CIRCE) groups, pilot whales from two different populations were observed. The group living in the Strait of Gibraltar were regularly exposed to threats suc
In a 7-year study uniting the University of Aberdeen, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) and Conservation, Information and Study on Cetaceans (CIRCE) groups, pilot whales from two different populations were observed. The group living in the Strait of Gibraltar were regularly exposed to threats suc
h as boats, while
the other group lived in Cape Breton (Canada) and were less threatened
by these threats. The goal of the study was to learn more about the
social structure of these whales and how mothers teach their young about
dangers.
The researchers noted that both whale populations always reacted collectively to potential threats. "When we arrived at the watching area they were swimming at their normal rhythm but after 10 or 15 minutes near to them, the mothers and their young began to swim in a synchronized manner in alert position," explained Renaud de Stephanis (Biological Station of Doñana and co-author of the study). They also found that these whales have permanent relationships in their group, never leaving and joining another.
Unsurprisingly, the presence of boats and other vessels disturbs diving behaviour. Researchers found the longer they spent near a population, the longer those whales stayed submerged. This in turns other important damaging effects. "This behavioral change could affect their energy levels, since they then have to make more of an effort to protect themselves and their young. In turn this limits hunting time, which means that they cannot feed their young properly," says de Stephanis.
Photo credit: Renaud de Stephanis.
For those who would like to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/Uld5la
Other sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.redorbit.com/news/
The researchers noted that both whale populations always reacted collectively to potential threats. "When we arrived at the watching area they were swimming at their normal rhythm but after 10 or 15 minutes near to them, the mothers and their young began to swim in a synchronized manner in alert position," explained Renaud de Stephanis (Biological Station of Doñana and co-author of the study). They also found that these whales have permanent relationships in their group, never leaving and joining another.
Unsurprisingly, the presence of boats and other vessels disturbs diving behaviour. Researchers found the longer they spent near a population, the longer those whales stayed submerged. This in turns other important damaging effects. "This behavioral change could affect their energy levels, since they then have to make more of an effort to protect themselves and their young. In turn this limits hunting time, which means that they cannot feed their young properly," says de Stephanis.
Photo credit: Renaud de Stephanis.
For those who would like to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/Uld5la
Other sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.redorbit.com/news/
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