The Surprising Trend of Whales Wearing Seaweed Hats

Whales have been observed playing with seaweed, known as "kelping," in over 100 instances captured on social media. This behavior is not limited to a single species, as gray whales, southern and northern right whales, and humpback whales have all been seen engaging in it. While it is considered playful, there is likely a useful component to it, such as using the seaweed to scratch an itch, brush off barnacles, or remove parasites. Whales tend to seek out kelp in regions where it is abundant, and drones have provided new insights into this behavior. Kelping may have long-term benefits for whales, such as improving their coordination and movement skills, and certain seaweed species may help reduce bacterial growth on their skin. This behavior highlights the mysteries that still exist in understanding whale species.