HUMPBACK WHALE BREEDING AND HEAT RUNS

The humpback whales have arrived to the Whitsundays on mass and the breeding season has begun.

A female who wants to mate will slap her pectoral fins on the surface and make a trumpeting noise to signal to the males.

Males in the Whitsundays are often in pods of 2 - 4 males.  If they hear a female signaling, they will move very fast in her direction.  Often multiple groups can be seen moving towards her at speed.

Once the males reach the female, they will chase her demonstrating their fitness and endurance, trying to be the fastest, the best singer and the most acrobatic.  Their song lasts 30 minutes, but will repeat it over and over to show their fitness.  They perform large breaches landing on their backs to appear bigger and gain attention.  They will try to outrun the other males.  They can be aggressive to other males below the surface and tail slap on the surface to try to warn the others off.

This is a heat run and can last over 24 hours.

One a female has selected a male they will swim together and move in motions like diving and rolling that resemble a playful courtship.  It’s very gentle and tactile with the male gently caressing the female with his pectoral fins.  It’s still up to the female if she actually mates with the male.

Once pregnant the female will return to the feeding ground to gain body condition.  The male will remain in the breeding ground looking for other mating opportunities.

Whales are now being spotted on most boat tours, ferry trips and mainland vantage points and from balconies on islands like Hamilton Island.

To see photos and videos of recent sightings go to the Whales of the Whitsundays Facebook group.

Contributed by Kellie Leonard - Master Reef Guide/Whales of the Whitsundays

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Photo credit: Glen Bradford

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