Seals. Sea lions. Gray whale calves. Even sunfish. The humpbacks showed up, placed themselves between predator and prey, used their massive fins to shield the victims, and sometimes physically lifted them out of the water.
And then? They left. No food. No reward. No obvious benefit.
(3/6)
Some scientists believe this behavior started as a protective instinct – evolved to defend their own calves – and is now being applied to any creature in distress. Others think it may point to complex social awareness or empathy in humpbacks, something we’re only beginning to understand.
As one researcher put it: “It’s almost as if humpbacks just don’t like bullies.”
(4/6)
These whales have even been seen traveling long distances just to intervene. One report described humpbacks swimming for hours to reach a killer whale attack, only to chase the orcas off and then disappear into the deep again.
Are these acts of instinct, emotion, or something we can’t yet explain?
We don’t know. But in a world where survival often means silence, the humpback’s defiance is loud, deliberate, and extraordinary.
(5/6)
Via #NatGeo; Jason Bittel, “Did Humpbacks Try to Save a Seal from Orcas? See for Yourself.” 7 Sept. 2023 (6/6)
@paninid@mastodon.world So the Humpbacks are militant Antifa, right?
@paninid@mastodon.world I think it’s interesting that one of the most significant survival traits that hominids evolved was the ability to form community, share burdens, and have empathy for others. Arguably, it’s the trait that allowed us to outcompete other homo species. Now, we’re starting to see (notice) this in other mammals, especially cetaceans, and I wonder if we’re seeing them in the middle of their own evolution to a more sapient species.
@ramsey@phpc.social
The lineage of cetaceans like humpbacks pre-date Homo sapiens by tens of millions of years, so if we were witnessing that it would be incredible evolutionary timing.
@ramsey@phpc.social
The lineage of cetaceans like humpbacks pre-date Homo sapiens by tens of millions of years, so if we were witnessing that it would be incredible evolutionary timing.
@paninid@mastodon.world maybe it was there all the time, but we didn't look or if we did, we kept silent about it. It's only 100 yrs or so when mankind still killed whales big style for their oil, fat and meat.
And look at other very social animals who often take in even other species, adopt them, feed them. I've seen a cow on a meadow feeding a deer baby. Geese feeding carps when they open their mouths, even our house crows will drop a worm in an open mouth now and then, even into a yawning cat.
@ramsey@phpc.social
@paninid@mastodon.world maybe it was there all the time, but we didn't look or if we did, we kept silent about it. It's only 100 yrs or so when mankind still killed whales big style for their oil, fat and meat.
And look at other very social animals who often take in even other species, adopt them, feed them. I've seen a cow on a meadow feeding a deer baby. Geese feeding carps when they open their mouths, even our house crows will drop a worm in an open mouth now and then, even into a yawning cat.
@ramsey@phpc.social
Coach Pāṇini ®
