How do Humpbacks communicate? Sound is the main sense for our Humpback Whales and the way they communicate is either by song or surface language. Vocalisations can be made below the waters surface which travels vast distances and is a great means of communicating. Males are known to sing which can be heard by other whales from many miles away. The second means of communication we see from the Humpback Whales is all about surface language with every breach, tail lob and pec slap having an important meaning. It can be social and encouraging attention towards themselves or dominant and used to deter other whales from approaching. During our morning tour today there was no need for big surface displays as the whales had already found each other and we had multiple Humpbacks socialising with a slight competitive edge. Loud trumpets ensued as they followed after each other, rolling about on the surface and enjoying the lovely morning conditions.
A nearby mother and calf had been spotted by two juveniles as she made sure to maintain a reactionary distance from them both. The juveniles soon spied us and decided we looked a lot more interesting as they approached for a closer looking. Swimming around and underneath us they were both immensely curious as we enjoyed hanging out with these lovely young whales. Our afternoon sighted a change in communication amongst the whales as a light sea breeze caused a few white caps and a large female Humpback was pec slapping away with four males pursuing her through the sighting grounds. It was beautiful to watch as each pec slapping landed with a good old thud on the surface and encouraged the boys to continue following her. Repeated pec slapping works perfectly to attract attention towards yourself and it was exactly how this female was able to keep these boys interested and competing for her attention this afternoon.
