Whales

Find out everything there is to know about whales and stay updated on the latest whale news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and whale pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating creatures as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about whales.
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Kelping is a 'global phenomenon' sweeping the world of humpback whales, scientists say
By Sascha Pare published
Humpback whales may enjoy rolling around in seaweed as a form of play, but "kelping" could also help maintain their skin health by removing parasites and bacteria.

Could an impending rise in solar storms cause more whales to strand?
By Harry Baker published
Past research suggests that some whale species are more likely to get lost and accidentally beach themselves during periods of increased solar activity, such as the upcoming solar maximum.

Tiny 'King Tut' whale 'lived fast and died fast' in ancient Egyptian waters
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Paleontologists in Egypt have described a new species of extinct whale that was dwarfed by other basilosaurids.

Baby Moby Dick? Rare white humpback whale calf filmed off Australia
By Emma Bryce published
The latest footage follows two other sightings of all-white, newborn humpback calves — but experts aren't convinced these whales are albino like the famous Migaloo.

What is the deepest-diving mammal?
By Ethan Freedman published
One marine mammal has been documented diving as deep as 9,816 feet — equivalent to the depth of over 30 Statues of Liberty stacked on top of one another.

This colossal extinct whale was the heaviest animal to ever live
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Paleontologists in Peru have described an ancient species of whale that was way heavier than a blue whale.

Fears that dead 60-foot-long whale in Ireland could explode sends experts scrambling
By Harry Baker published
Experts abandoned the autopsy of a dead fin whale after they heard bubbling noises from the creature's gut, indicating there was a chance it could explode if opened.

$500,000 chunk of 'floating gold' found in dead whale
By Ethan Freedman published
The huge chunk of ambergris was found lodged inside the sperm whale — and scientists believe it ruptured its intestine, causing its death and subsequent beaching in La Palma.
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