April 29, 2013

Lobtail feeding in whales

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Image of the Week #89, April 29th, 2013:From:Animal culture: insights from whales by Felicity Muth at Not bad science. Source: Jennifer Allen from Whale Centre of New England New research shows that feeding strategies may be culturally transmitted among humpback whales. A novel form of hunting called "lobtail feeding" involves a whale slapping its tail hard on the water's surface before engaging in "bubble feeding," in which the whale blows bubbles around prey to act as a confusing net before it charges the group of fish with mouth wide open. The new "lobtail feeding" style was first observed in 1980 and its proliferation throughout the population has since been tracked by researchers, showing evidence of the whales learning new behaviors from each other, although the exact advantage of "lobtail feeding" is not yet understood.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American