Why Oregon gray whales do headstands to find food
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A gray whale exhales a "bubble blast" while foraging. Photo: Courtesy of Oregon State University
Earlier this year, researchers found that gray whales were avoiding the Oregon coast due to a drastic increase in sea urchins that have been depleting local kelp forests.
Yes, but: The ones that do decide to come around are apparently into yoga-esque poses and breathing exercises, recent research and drone footage from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute shows.
- Whales ... they're just like us?
Zoom in: Older, more mature gray whales do a "headstanding" technique while foraging for mysid shrimp in the kelp reefs, pushing their mouths to the ocean floor to help their coordination, according to the paper.
- Plus: They've also been observed doing "bubble blasts" — a big exhale while underwater — once thought to be a behavior used to capture prey, but now researchers believe it helps with buoyancy while feeding in shallow water.
What they found: These behaviors are learned over time, the two joint studies concluded, and help the whales make the most of their changing ecosystem.