On a similar note: last week i observed a group of seagulls relentlessly attacking a phantom quadcopter that was flying over their territory. The quad clearly wasn't trying to eat their offspring so it could be that the whales are just asserting their territorial rights..
Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
51–60 of 134 posts
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#52On a similar note: last week i observed a group of seagulls relentlessly attacking a phantom quadcopter that was flying over their territory. The quad clearly wasn't trying to eat their offspring so it could be that the whales are just asserting their territorial rights..
asserting their rights by allowing a hunted seal to rest on its belly and helping it remain there by using its fins?
Did you read the article before commenting?
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#53Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#54Can we stop calling Orcas killer whales? Thanks.
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#55If I may play Devil's advocate here - it is very easy to anthropomorphize animal behaviour. There are numerous examples in the animal kingdom of animals protecting and even rearing animals from other species. This could be down to genetics and learned behaviour and nothing to do with altruism, or other noble sentiments. Part of me says it is highly unlikely that Humpback whales have a vendetta against killer whales a…
it is very easy to anthropomorphize animal behaviour It's also very easy to assume humans are more special than we actually are.
its very easy to forget that humans are animals too.
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#56On a similar note: last week i observed a group of seagulls relentlessly attacking a phantom quadcopter that was flying over their territory. The quad clearly wasn't trying to eat their offspring so it could be that the whales are just asserting their territorial rights..
> a phantom quadcopter
So, it was imaginary?
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#57Humpbacks are amazing animals. I live in southeast Alaska, and humpbacks pass through here every spring and fall. They spend their winters in Hawaii where they mate, and they come back here to feed in the spring and summer. When they first arrive in the spring you can see their vertebrae as they arch their back for a dive. After eating all summer, you can see how much they've filled out by the time they pass through…
My priest was just in Sitka for several weeks on sabbatical. There's a significant Eastern Orthodox population there and I may be visiting myself next year. If I do, I will be sure to find time for whales.
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#58On a similar note: last week i observed a group of seagulls relentlessly attacking a phantom quadcopter that was flying over their territory. The quad clearly wasn't trying to eat their offspring so it could be that the whales are just asserting their territorial rights..
> a phantom quadcopter So, it was imaginary?
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#59Humpback whales apparently have to defend their juveniles against hunting orcas. It is surprising that they would defend other species in the same way, but it seems likely to be the same instinct that causes them to protect their own, rather than altruism. Then again, maybe you could make the same claim about humans. :-)
It doesn't necessarily have to be altruism to make sense. Less for orcas to eat --> fewer orcas --> fewer attacks on humpback calves.
That would be quite the impressive bit of generalized cognition and logic from a whale, perhaps even more significant than feeling something.
Re: Humpback whales around the globe are mysteriously rescuing animals from orcas
#60It's interesting that we have such a hard time accepting the emotion of altruism both in humans and animals. The author of the articles states: "could just be revenge". Revenge is in many ways more senseless then altruism for evolutionary purposes (unless you directly attack killer whales that threaten you, but one could argue that that's a form of self-defence), but from our ego perspective it feels more intuitive,…
I don't deny that altruism exists, but to me it's just another form of egoism. Nobody can convince me that they have ever done anything for ANY other reason than because of the belief that it will be good for them or that they'll get some sort of kick out of it. Not Mother Theresa, not anyone, ever. Because it's not possible. If you don't put your own interests first, you have nothing to give to others anyway. Moreov…
> Nobody can convince me that they have ever done anything for ANY other reason than because of the belief that it will be good for them or that they'll get some sort of kick out of it.