Humpback whales have been extensively studied for their vocalizations, but mating behavior had not been documented until now. This was recently changed when two male humpback whales were caught on camera mating in a behavior that has never been seen before in this species. The pictures were taken by two enthusiasts in January 2022 while boating in Hawaii.
This unexpected mating behavior of the humpback whales highlights the complexity and diversity of animal behavior in the wild. The researchers were contacted by photographers who had encountered the mating whales during a boat trip off the coast of Maui. One of the whales appeared to be in poor health, possibly injured and covered in whale lice.
The stronger of the two whales repeatedly approached the weaker one and ultimately mated with it. The interaction was captured on camera multiple times. The behavior of the whales was interpreted in various ways, including as a form of alliance-building or territorial defense. Homosexual behavior in whales has been documented before, but not in humpback whales specifically.
Overall, this discovery sheds light on the importance of continued research and observation to learn more about these fascinating marine mammals.