Sep 09, 2014
The Power of a Peduncle Slap! Forty tonnes of humpback whale being lifted and thrown sideways on the water adds an impressive percussive component to cetacean interactions and is quite the statement, especially if you are another humpback whale on the receiving end! The caudal peduncle, the strong muscular area between the dorsal fin and the tail stock, for which this behaviour is named, is literally raised and whacked on the water. These behaviours naturally create a huge sound and splash sending strong, aggressive messages to the surrounding whales. Nippy sharks can also be the target of such defensive aerial displays. These humpback whales have to be aware! It’s a wild world out there!
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