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Marine Mammals

All articles tagged with #marine mammals

First Live Sighting Reframes the Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale’s Range
science1 hour ago

First Live Sighting Reframes the Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale’s Range

Scientists confirmed the first live sighting of the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) off Baja California in 2024 after a five-year search tracking a distinctive BW43 call. Using hydrophones aboard the Pacific Storm, researchers observed a young whale with an adult male, collected a skin biopsy that DNA analysis confirmed the species, and concluded the whales likely inhabit California and northern Baja waters year‑round, prompting a reassessment of the species’ range and highlighting beaked whales’ sensitivity to sonar.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#beaked-whale#deep-sea-biology#ginkgo-toothed-beaked-whale
New H5N1 Outbreak Reaches California Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo
science4 days ago

New H5N1 Outbreak Reaches California Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo

Researchers confirm H5N1 bird flu in California elephant seals at Año Nuevo, marking the first known infection in the state’s elephant seals; seven of the dead pups tested positive as part of ongoing surveillance that has counted about 30 seal deaths since the outbreak began. Officials say the outbreak likely stems from sick seabirds, with mammal-to-mammal transmission under investigation; the park remains closed and beachgoers are urged to avoid wildlife.

via Los Angeles Times|
#california#elephant-seals#h5n1
Arctic Ocean Grows Louder as Ice Melts, Threatening Wildlife
environment28 days ago

Arctic Ocean Grows Louder as Ice Melts, Threatening Wildlife

A peer-reviewed study in npj Acoustics finds that melting sea ice and expanding human activity are making the Arctic ocean noisier, with sound propagating farther in cold waters and potentially masking marine mammals' communication; sources include shipping, icebreakers, seismic surveys, and offshore drilling. The authors urge targeted management to limit disruptive noises during sensitive periods, while acknowledging that not all noise is harmful and that indigenous livelihoods can be affected by acoustic changes.

via Indian Defence Review|
#arctic#climate-change#environment
Has Anyone Ever Been Swallowed Whole by a Whale?
science2 months ago

Has Anyone Ever Been Swallowed Whole by a Whale?

While blue whales and baleen whales cannot swallow humans due to their throat size and diet, toothed whales like sperm whales could theoretically swallow a human, but such incidents are extremely rare and usually accidental. Historical stories of humans being swallowed are likely false, and recent encounters tend to involve whales accidentally engulfing humans before releasing them. These incidents highlight the dangers of human encroachment on whale habitats.

via IFLScience|
#accidental-ingestion#human#marine-mammals
Male Dolphins Use Sea-Sponge Wigs to Attract Mates
science4 months ago

Male Dolphins Use Sea-Sponge Wigs to Attract Mates

Male humpback dolphins off Western Australia's coast use sea sponges on their heads as a unique mating display, a behavior observed only in this region and not in other dolphin species, highlighting a potentially important and rare reproductive strategy. Additionally, other dolphins use sponges as tools for foraging, showcasing diverse dolphin behaviors involving sea sponges.

via Australian Broadcasting Corporation|
#dolphins#marine-mammals#mating-behavior