Scientists have been captivated by humpback whale behavior for many years. However, a study released this week claims to show the first images of the species engaging in deep sexual relations.
Stephanie Stack, a marine biologist, and Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano, two photographers who documented the meeting, wrote the piece.
They called the entire discovery “opportunistic,” pointing out that in January 2022, while the photographers were out in waters west of the Hawaiian island of Maui, the whales “slowly approached” their boat.
According to the study, the images depict a robust and healthy male whale penetrating another that is sick, damaged, or malnourished.
The animals, which are typically between 12 and 16 meters long, circled the boat “many times,” with the larger whale “pursuing” the smaller one.
