Two humpback whales have been seen having sex for the first time – and they’re both males
TWO humpback whales have been spotted having sex for the first time – and they were both male.
The marine mammals have been extensively studied for decades, but their sexual behavior has largely remained a mystery.
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That was until two photographers while on a boat trip off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, spotted two whales heading toward their ship in January 2022.
One was thin, covered in whale lice and showing signs of ill health.
The healthier one repeatedly approached the other and used its pectoral fins to hold the injured whale in place while initiating shallow, short penetrations.
The two whales circled the boat numerous times, allowing the photographers, Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano, to take pictures.
It is illegal to swim with humpback whales or be within 100 meters of humpback whales in Hawaii.
The Pacific Whale Foundation said: “What they encountered was an unprecedented observation.
“The groundbreaking photographs taken by Krannichfeld and Romano provide unprecedented insight into the private lives of these majestic marine mammals.
“Although this is the first time this has been reported in humpback whales, homosexual behavior is common in the animal kingdom and well documented for many species of cetaceans.
“The first documented mating between humpback whales adds valuable detail and knowledge to our understanding of these beautiful creatures, and provides new insights into the reproductive behavior of this species.”
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