How Humpback Whales Protect Others
In How Humpback Whales Protect Others, marine biologists discuss occasions when they have witnessed humpback whales protecting other species and how their behavior shows empathy and altruism. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: Humpback Whales — A Detective Story, a documentary about our relationship with whales and their future alongside us.
Lesson Express
Q: What are some characteristics and physical traits of humpback whales that give scientists confidence that these whales can protect other animals from sea predators?
A: Humpback whales are known to be large and powerful. In addition, both their their tails and giant fins are over 16 feet (5 meters) long. They are also known to have social behaviors such as group actions, which suggest that they act in sync to protect others.
Q: Can you think of other animals that are considered to be altruistic?
A: Student answers will vary. Some examples are vampire bats, chimpanzees, and elephants.
Q: What other animals did the humpback whale protect in the ocean?
A: The humpback whale protected seals, dolphins, giant ocean sunfish, and sea lions.
More Like This
In The Sun’s Cycle Transforms the Sea, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the most productive food chain that happens off the coast of Alaska. The Sun creates a phytoplankton bloom which attracts herring and larger animals. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Inside a Humpback Whale Nursery, narrator Sir David Attenborough discovers what a whale nursery is like. Explore the shallow seas where humpback whales sing to attract a mate, birth calves, and teach them to swim. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In The Animals That Make up the Antarctic Food Web, narrator Sir David Attenborough shares information about the animals that make up the Antarctic food web. Watch minke whales, humpback whales, fur seals, and krill. Learn about icebergs in the Antarctic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Feeding in the Tides Off Nova Scotia, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the large tides off of Nova Scotia and the humpback and finback whales that come to feed. Learn about the finback whale, the fastest whale and second-largest animal in the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In The Sun’s Cycle Transforms the Sea, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the most productive food chain that happens off the coast of Alaska. The Sun creates a phytoplankton bloom which attracts herring and larger animals. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Inside a Humpback Whale Nursery, narrator Sir David Attenborough discovers what a whale nursery is like. Explore the shallow seas where humpback whales sing to attract a mate, birth calves, and teach them to swim. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In The Animals That Make up the Antarctic Food Web, narrator Sir David Attenborough shares information about the animals that make up the Antarctic food web. Watch minke whales, humpback whales, fur seals, and krill. Learn about icebergs in the Antarctic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In Feeding in the Tides Off Nova Scotia, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the large tides off of Nova Scotia and the humpback and finback whales that come to feed. Learn about the finback whale, the fastest whale and second-largest animal in the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.