Issue link: https://jmane.uberflip.com/i/445943
20 sometimes for up to a minute or longer. In this situation, the purpose of their behavior is very clear: they're checking things out with their eyes (which, by the way, are about the size of grapefruits). Spy hopping often occurs during a "mugging," when the whale becomes focused on the boat and makes it impossible for the captain to leave, due to the 100 yard law. These "muggings" are what everyone hopes for on a whale watch. Other behaviors such as peduncle and tail throws, head lunges, and bubbling (blowing massive amounts of bubbles underwater), have all been clearly confirmed by scientists as being aggressive in nature. But once again, where some behavioral studies result in clear answers, others, like research surrounding the study of whale songs, don't provide sufficient data to have one single answer. Although it's known that most of the documented singing occurs during the breeding season, males are the only ones singing. All whales in one population sing the same song, and singing generally stops when one whale joins the singer; the reason for the song is still unknown. Hypotheses range from the idea that songs are sung to attract females, to ward off or demonstrate status to other males, or as a geographic location indicator for other whales. The truth is, until we're able to directly communicate with the amazing humpbacks, the reason why they breach, spy hop, and sing will, in all likelihood, remain a mystery. HUMPBACK BEHAVIOR Newborn mimicking feeding behavior. Photos by Marty Wolff