"First-ever Photographs Capture Male Humpback Whales Engaged in Mating Behavior"

Photographers captured the first documented instance of two male humpback whales engaging in sexual activity, with one whale penetrating the other in waters west of Maui. The encounter, observed for approximately 30 minutes, took place roughly 15 feet below the surface. The authors of the study, including marine biologist Stephanie Stack and the photographers, emphasized the scientific significance of the photographs and the importance of understanding the social behavior of humpback whales. Same-sex behavior is common in the animal kingdom, and while it has been observed in other marine mammals, this is the first documented instance for humpback whales.