Post #3048358
2025-08-03 15:04 UTC
This isn’t a fluke. In a study of 115 documented cases, scientists observed humpbacks confronting orcas during hunts – and in nearly 90% of those cases, the humpbacks disrupted the attack. Even more surprising? Many of the animals they protected weren’t even their own kind.
(2/6)
Replies (6)
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@paninid@mastodon.world 2025-08-03 15:04
Seals. Sea lions. Gray whale calves. Even sunfish. The humpbacks showed up, placed themselves between predator and prey, used their massive fins to shield the victims, and sometimes physically lifted them out of the water. And then? They left. No food. No reward. No obvious benefit. (3/6)
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@futurebird@sauropods.win 2025-08-03 15:23
@paninid@mastodon.world Do orcas ever eat baby whales?
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@dbsalk@mastodon.social 2025-08-03 18:36
@paninid@mastodon.world "This isn't a fluke." I see what you did there. 🤣
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@sellathechemist@mastodon.social 2025-08-03 19:26
@paninid@mastodon.world That first sentence wasn’t one either!! #applause
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@cliff@social.lol 2025-08-04 03:08
@paninid@mastodon.world I see what you did there.
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@aleciabatson@mastodon.social 2025-08-04 03:52
@paninid@mastodon.world +100 aura for use of the word “fluke”. 🐋