Full Breakdown
Humpback Whales Exhibit ‘Gaping’ Behavior Outside Feeding Zones
5/6/2026, 11:35:40 AM
Core Observation: Unusual Mouth-Opening
Scientists have recorded humpback whales repeatedly opening their massive jaws to a wide gape despite no prey. The behavior, called “gaping,” occurs on the surface and underwater, far from feeding grounds, during migration.
Context: Migration, Feeding, and Citizen Science
Humpbacks normally gulp krill or small fish in polar feeding zones, filtering water with baleen. During long migrations to breeding sites they rarely feed, and whale-watching tours now supply visual records of atypical behavior via social media.
Key Figures & Groups
The study was led by Dr. Vanessa Pirotta, lecturer at Macquarie University, Australia, with co-authors from the same institution. Tourist operators, swimmers, and drone pilots contributed footage as “citizen scientists.” Results appear in *Animal Behavior and Cognition*.
Data & Statistics
From 2014 to 2025, researchers compiled 66 gaping events from videos and photos. Thirty-six were recorded from boats, 24 by swimmers while fully submerged, and six by drones. Sightings span Tonga, Hawaii, and eastern Australia.
On-the-Ground Reports
Underwater footage shows whales clapping their mouths shut, producing audible sounds. Calves sometimes pair gaping with playful debris-flicking, indicating sensory exploration. No adult whales have been observed gaping in the same contexts.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Pirotta notes the rise in gaping reports may reflect increased tourism and camera use rather than a true behavioral shift. She stresses the value of high-quality citizen footage for expanding cetacean knowledge. The authors describe the behavior as energetically costly and unrelated to feeding.
Criticism & Opposition
The team cautions that the apparent increase could be an observation bias driven by more whale-watching trips and social-media sharing. Without adult observations, the function of gaping remains speculative, and no single hypothesis is yet favored.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Although gaping reports have risen, the authors warn that expanding tourism and improved video capture may explain the trend. A key gap is the lack of documented adult gaping, limiting insight into prevalence and purpose.
Why It Matters / Impact
Understanding gaping could reveal new aspects of humpback communication, health, or biomechanics. The study also shows how tourism operators and citizen scientists can augment scientific data, informing conservation messaging and guiding future research priorities.
What’s Next
The authors recommend systematic monitoring of gaping across populations, acoustic analysis of mouth-clap sounds, and comparative studies with other baleen whales. Ongoing collaboration with whale-watching communities is essential for future insights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “[I] can only imagine how amazing this would be for someone who has gone out whale watching expecting to see a few breaths and a breach,” — Dr. Vanessa Pirotta, Macquarie University
- “One theory is it is a form of communication,” — Dr. Vanessa Pirotta
- “Whales do watch people on a boat, they’re very aware of the boat presence,” — Dr. Vanessa Pirotta
- “Scientists, governments, conservationists, and other stakeholders can use social media to help document humpback whale behavior efficiently through space and time,” — Study authors
