What Does It Mean When a Whale Breaches

Breaching is when most or all of the whale’s body leaves the water. Humpback whales can use their powerful fluke (or tail fin) to launch themselves out of the water. And while many other whale species breach, humpback whales seem to breach more frequently.

Why do whales breach themselves?

Whales breach ( or flipper-slap/tail-breach/etc) to help rid themselves of parasites. Whales, Humpback Whales especially, sometimes carry a variety of external (as well as internal) parasites that may cause itching and irritation to their sensitive skin.

What does breech mean with whales?

Breaching: Many whales are very acrobatic, even breaching (jumping) high out of the water and then slapping the water as they come back down. When a large whale breaches, the splash can be heard for up to a kilometer. Sometimes the whales twirl around while breaching.