Tagging and Tracking Whales
In Tagging and Tracking Whales, ecologist Ari Friedlander discusses how he tags whales to study their behavior. He aims to protect whales by making people care more about them. 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 unique things scientists can observe once a tag is attached to a whale?
A: Once the tag is attached to a whale, scientists can track the whale's movement direction, speed, and depth. They can also capture videos from different angles, providing a detailed view of the whale's behavior and environment.
Q: What can people learn by watching the video from a whale tag?
A: By watching the video, people can observe the whale’s movements up close, including its swimming patterns, interactions with schools of fish, and encounters with other marine animals in the ocean.
Q: What tools do scientists use in the whale tagging process to gather more information about the whales?
A: Scientists use several tools, such as drones to track and measure the whales' movements, biopsy darts to collect DNA samples, and noise recorders to study the sounds the whales make, helping to understand their behavior and environment.
More Like This
In Cuttlefish and Humpback Whales Breed at the Reef, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores how two animals, the cuttlefish and the humpback whale, use different strategies to find a mate. 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 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 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 Cuttlefish and Humpback Whales Breed at the Reef, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores how two animals, the cuttlefish and the humpback whale, use different strategies to find a mate. 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 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 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.