Humpback Whales are protecting other animals from Killer Whales

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Aren't these things magnificant, perfect predators. You would almost forget that it are really intelligent and emotional creatures when you see them killing things

I love discussions about the physics of space and time, hold an earned Ph.D., tear up at some well scripted scenes in movies and television, and cried when my daughter first turned to me moments after her birth.

I also like my steak slightly less then medium rare so I can enjoy the warmed blood taste.


I have always wondered if some of the whales are intelligent to the point of self-awareness etc. Hard to measure with our terrestrial tools.

[Vincent Butler]

I have always wondered if some of the whales are intelligent to the point of self-awareness etc. Hard to measure with our terrestrial tools.

I have long been of the opinion that those of the dolphin family might be considered semi-sentient. I don't know, it is certain they are among the most intelligent of animals. Of course, I would not say that intelligence and sentience are the same thing, as sentient humans have clearly shown a lack of intelligence. However, based on their interaction with humans, I think it safe to say that God designed the dolphin groups to have a special relationship with man out on the seas.

[Kagemusha]

These Norwegian Orca are actually hunting herring together with humpback whales. Because this population only eats fish and apparently the humpback whales know that as well.

[Fragony]

I love discussions about the physics of space and time, hold an earned Ph.D., tear up at some well scripted scenes in movies and television, and cried when my daughter first turned to me moments after her birth.

I also like my steak slightly less then medium rare so I can enjoy the warmed blood taste.


I have always wondered if some of the whales are intelligent to the point of self-awareness etc. Hard to measure with our terrestrial tools.

Dolphins understand mirrors

[Vincent Butler]

Dolphins understand mirrors

Pity some humans don't.

[Fragony]

kewl a new best friend

[Ibrahim]

My hypothesis is that the humpback whales are running a protection racket: you pay them in krill, they beat the crap out of Orcas. Presumably the great white in the video did not pay the protection money, so the humpbacks just stood by while this happened

Seriously though: it's more likely that the orcas--aggressive as they are--are acting in a manner analogous to humans on land: they're insanely destructive, and may be posing a threat to their persons: they likely figure if they help here, then maybe Willie will starve or be weak, and so won't threaten themselves. Or maybe they think (as I do) that Orcas are of the devil, and so need to be stopped as much as possible, because they are of the devil.

[Fragony]

Aww they just do what they have orca's are incredible creatures. We keep total sociopaths at home, they look so innocent but cats will kill you if they could, they won't help anything, purrfectly equiped to kill everything and they know it

[Pannonian]

Aww they just do what they have orca's are incredible creatures. We keep total sociopaths at home, they look so innocent but cats will kill you if they could, they won't help anything, purrfectly equiped to kill everything and they know it

Cats meow. That's the single biggest evolutionary step they've made since domestication, and one which has led to their phenomenal popularity.

[Ibrahim]

Aww they just do what they have orca's are incredible creatures. We keep total sociopaths at home, they look so innocent but cats will kill you if they could, they won't help anything, purrfectly equiped to kill everything and they know it

Yeah, if only orcas merely STOPPED at killing things. They don't. Neither do many species of dolphin. Plus they look ridiculous.