Whales Embrace Seaweed for Beauty and Wellness

Kelping, the behavior of humpback whales frolicking in seaweed, is a global phenomenon that is more widespread than previously thought, according to new research. Humpbacks engage in kelping as a form of play and potentially as a soothing body scrub. They interact with different types of seaweed, not just kelp, and may benefit from the antimicrobial properties of seaweed for maintaining skin health. Kelping could also help humpbacks shed parasites and bacteria. However, climate change and the proliferation of species that feed on kelp pose threats to this behavior.