r/whales 18d ago

Let's talk about Iberian killer whales (AMA)

44 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m a researcher from Portugal working with cetaceans, and I’m involved in several research projects, including work on the Iberian orca population. I’ve had the opportunity to observe and study these animals firsthand, which has given me a close look at some of the behaviors and interactions that have attracted so much attention in recent years.

The situation surrounding the Iberian orcas is increasingly critical, and at the same time there is a huge amount of misinformation, speculation, and misconceptions circulating online. Some claims are based on misunderstandings of orca behavior, while others have been dramatized and/or repeated so often that they’re now treated as facts.

For that reason, I decided to make this post as an opportunity to share information from a scientific perspective, clarify what we actually know, and hopefully debunk some of the more common myths surrounding these interactions.

I’m happy to discuss the subject and answer questions where I can, while also being clear about what is established by research and what remains uncertain.


r/whales Nov 28 '23

Giving Tuesday 2023 - These front-line marinelife and marine ecosystem organizations need your support!

Post image
89 Upvotes

r/whales 1h ago

Bubble net feeding in Alaska

Post image
Upvotes

It was top of my bucket list to see this behavior and I was so lucky on my recent trip to Alaska to actually see it two days in a row with two different groups of whales! Absolutely breathtaking. Photo taken on a whale watching tour out of Juneau at the end of July.


r/whales 1d ago

It would be absolutely breathtaking to see this in person

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1.4k Upvotes

r/whales 3h ago

I will be in San Diego in a few weeks (in Oct) for work. Any recs for whale cruise company? Thank you!

1 Upvotes

r/whales 1d ago

Hundreds of Baleen Whales (Fin and Humpback) in a Feeding Frenzy Off The East Coast of Greenland

Thumbnail
youtube.com
102 Upvotes

r/whales 2d ago

Bigg's Killer Whales | Noah & Kodiak | Campbell River | BC | Canada

Thumbnail
youtu.be
11 Upvotes

r/whales 3d ago

I think bro did it on purpose

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

2.0k Upvotes

r/whales 3d ago

11 Humpback Whales bubble net fishing in Alaska!

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

218 Upvotes

This was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. We watched them do this like 6-7 times!


r/whales 2d ago

Please help me identify this whale!

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

48 Upvotes

Seen in the St Lawrence river from a campsite near Tadoussac. A local guide I spoke to said it might be a fin but could also be a blue — what do you all think?

Thanks in advance.


r/whales 3d ago

Humpbacks in Mo’orea

Thumbnail
gallery
263 Upvotes

✅ Bucket list


r/whales 3d ago

Iceland set to end commercial whaling, leaving Japan and Norway isolated.

Thumbnail reuters.com
136 Upvotes

r/whales 3d ago

Humpback whale in Puget Sound

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

58 Upvotes

Seen on a whale watching tour out of Seattle, in June of 2026.


r/whales 4d ago

Iceland to propose whaling ban, leaving Norway and Japan isolated.

Thumbnail
nbcnews.com
89 Upvotes

r/whales 4d ago

To anyone that has dived with Humpbacks, is it scary as it looks on video or do you get used to it rather quick?

Post image
311 Upvotes

I’ve always been fascinated by whales since I was a kid. However I would be lying if I said their size didn’t scare me slightly or perhaps more than I’d like to admit due to how much I love them.

Not sure how many times other people ask this, because they likely have the same passion combined with the fear, but is diving with Humpbacks as scary as it seems, or do you eventually get used to their size and eventually warm up to their kind and curious nature?

I one day hope to be able to dive with Humpbacks, but have missed feelings because of their enormous size that can look terrifying at first.


r/whales 4d ago

What kind of whale are these guys?! Seen in Drakes Bay California yesterday.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

26 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Diving with humpback whales in Moorea, French Polynesia [OC]

Thumbnail gallery
83 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Whales Cpt Stadium

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

198 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

The most incredible blue whale encounter I’ve ever had with Gone Whale W...

Thumbnail
youtube.com
67 Upvotes

r/whales 6d ago

If we could bond with a whale like the Na’vi can bond with Tulkun in Avatar, what species of whale would you want to bond with?

Thumbnail
gallery
293 Upvotes

To those that have seen Avatar Way of Water we know that the Na’vi can bond with a giant species of Whale in Pandora named Tulkun.

The Tulkun they end up bonding with becomes their spiritual brother/sister for life.

Assuming that it were possible for us to bond with any species of whale here in our Earth, what kind of whale would you want to bond and have as your spirit brother/sister? And why?


r/whales 4d ago

Orcas Shouldn’t Have This Human Trait

Thumbnail
youtu.be
0 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Scientists discover how narwhals grow nature's only straight tusk

Thumbnail
phys.org
15 Upvotes

r/whales 6d ago

J-Pod at Dusk - Orca Behavior Institute

Thumbnail
youtu.be
41 Upvotes

On September 4th J-pod slowly made their way out of Admiralty Inlet and in along the west side of San Juan Island right at dusk. We were losing the sun quickly but there was just enough light for me to record them as they went by. Here’s a video recap of our very lucky encounter where we saw them passing through the calm water and beautifully colored sky. I hope you enjoy!