Whale Behaviour
Whale Behaviour and Terminology
Below are some examples of whale behaviour that will come up when discussing whales and whale watching. Whales spend up to 90 percent of their lives below the water, and wander into such stormy and remote seas that despite the urge scientists battle to follow. Consequently, we know very little about these huge yet mysterious mammals of the deep.
Did you know? Bryde's whales are distinguishable by the three distinct notches on their dorsal fins.
Have a look at our Whale Watching Infographic which depicts the different whale behaviours mentioned below.
Whale Terminology
Breaching
Breaching is leaping or twirling whales, believed to be either communication, playfulness or to help with skin irritations.
Lobtailing
Lotailing is tail vertically out of the water whilst the rest of the whale is submerged, followed by a resounding slap on the water's surface
Fluking
Fluking is similar to lobrailing - tail out of the water, but this time it is the start of a dive
Spyhopping
Just as it sounds, the whale lifts its head out of the water, perhaps to look around
Blowing or spouting
Blowing or spouting is the action of blowing water from their blowholes at the tops of their heads. Southern right whales have two blowholes
Logging
Logging is lying in the water with its head and back exposed, tail submerged.
Recommended in Whale Behaviour
Whale Route / Popular Tourist Routes / Activities
Whale Watching in Algoa Bay
Algoa Bay is a major part of the coastline of Nelson Mandela Bay, the main town of which is Port Elizabeth. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the beaches of this bay to enjoy the warm, safe swimming waters and great weather. The Indian Ocean ...
Popular Tourist Routes / Activities / Whale Route
Whale Watching in Cape Agulhas
The most southern tip of Africa is monopolised by the three towns of L'Agulhas, its neighbour Struisbaai, and on the other side of the bay, Arniston or Waenhuiskrans. Cape Agulhas may not be as beautiful as the Cape Peninsula, nor boast quite the ...
Activities / Miscellaneous / Whale Route
Whale Watching in False Bay
Humpback and Byde's whales are commonly spotted away from the shore. You are more likely to see them out on one of the boat-based whale watching expeditions. But expert whale watchers say to look out for the three distinct notches on the dorsal fin that ...
Miscellaneous / Whale Route / Activities
Whale Watching in Garden Route
Whilst the Garden Route, between Mossel Bay and Storm's River, does not get landbased whale watching in quite the same way as Hermanus, Witsand and De Hoop, whales are still very much in evidence in the more secluded bays particularly around Mossel Bay, ...
Whale Route / Miscellaneous / Birdlife or Wildlife Sanctuaries / Activities
Whale Watching in St Lucia
St Lucia and the chance of seeing humpback whales - When you think of whale song, you think of the sound that the humpback whale makes. Their collection of moans, cries and howls can continue for hours and have made them rather famous. St Lucia, on the ...
Activities
Whale Watching in St Sebastian Bay
St Sebastian Bay, and the waters off De Hoop Nature Reserve, are known as the whale nursery of southern Africa there is such a high concentration of southern right whales during their annual winter migration. The bay is relatively solitary, with little ...
Activities / Miscellaneous / Whale Route
Whale Watching in Walker Bay
Walker Bay – heart of the whale coast. The waters between Hermanus and Pearly Beach attract hundreds of whales annually to the shallow waters of this coastline, also known as the whale coast. Daily sightings of these giant beasts of the sea, certainly in ...
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inAll About The Whales
Want to go whale watching in South Africa? South Africa is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Explore our 'whale watching' pages below to find out when, where and how to see the whales in South Africa...
The Whale Route
The Whales
Where to See Whales
Where to enjoy Whale Behaviour
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