Upside‑down Whales Aren't Sick or Hurt—They're Just Resting

Scientists Thought These Upside-Down Whales Might Be Sick. They Were Wrong

If you see a whale floating upside-down along Australian coasts, please leave it alone. They're just really tired, scientists say.

Upside‑down whales aren't sick or hurt—they're just resting

If you stand on one of Australia's southern shorelines at this time of year, you might be lucky enough to spot a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) swimming in the shallow waters. These ocean giants have migrated from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica to breed, give birth and rest. If you're really lucky, you may even see one of them resting upside down.

These whale mothers float upside-down for a very good reason

Kate Sprogis, Fredrik Christiansen & Renae van Noort, The University of Western Australia/Aarhus University/The ConversationContinue ReadingCategory: Biology, Science, Refractor: Science & HealthTags: University of Western Australia, Aarhus University, Whale, Reproduction, Marine Biology, Ocean

Southern right whale mothers rest upside down to limit nursing: study

SYDNEY, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Southern right whale mothers may rest upside down to limit nursing so they can save much-needed energy during the demanding.....

Why do whales rest upside down?

Upside‑down southern right whales aren’t sick or hurt – they’re just resting. The post Why do whales rest upside down? appeared first on Australian Geographic.