Tail sailing

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary footage of the tail sailing behaviour of a humpback whale.

Tail sailing refers to the action of whales lifting their tails clear of the water for long periods of time.^[1] The process is rarely observed by humans, and the precise motivation for this phenomenon is unknown.^[2] It is thought that whales either undertake this activity to catch the wind and 'sail' through the water, or as a method to cool down. A third theory suggests that the whale is feeding close to the sea floor.

Scientists believe that tail-sailing is fairly common amongst certain species, such as the Southern right whale.^[3]

References

^ "Sailing Tail". Whale Coast Route. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
^ "Rare footage released of humpback whale hanging tail in air near Hawaii". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
^ AOL Staff. "Humpback whale 'tail-sails' as she watches her calf off the Maui coast". AOL.com. Retrieved 2016-03-11.

External links

Media related to Whales with raised tail at Wikimedia Commons

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Amazing siting by youtuber YBS Youngbloods

[1] "Sailing Tail". Whale Coast Route. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 2016-03-11.

[2] "Rare footage released of humpback whale hanging tail in air near Hawaii". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.

[3] AOL Staff. "Humpback whale 'tail-sails' as she watches her calf off the Maui coast". AOL.com. Retrieved 2016-03-11.

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