Whales
Orcas Sink Another Boat in the Strait of Gibraltar
The crew is safe, but the marine mammals did so much damage to the Polish sailing yacht that it couldn't make it back to port
Ancient Whales Were the Biggest and Smallest of Their Kind to Ever Roam the Oceans
New discoveries show how whale diversity exploded after the dinosaurs disappeared
North Atlantic Right Whale Numbers May Be Stabilizing at Last
After a decade of decline, the latest population estimate is good news—but conservationists say we "have a long ways to go" to safeguard the marine mammals
See 12 Winning Images From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest
The stunning entries showcase the behaviors of ancient and elusive species, from horseshoe crabs to tapirs and orcas—as well as the threats they face
Why Do Orcas Keep Harassing Porpoises?
An endangered group of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest has been toying with porpoises for decades—and new research offers some possible explanations
Nine Orcas Have Died in Fishing Gear Near Alaska This Year
A "new behavior" from the animals might be linked to this sudden uptick in deaths, as they have been feeding in front of fishing nets, a trade group says
Where Did South Africa's Missing Sharks Go?
After a spate of orca attacks spooked the fish, they have now been found
Are Wild Animals Really Just Like Us?
A summer of news reports about orca, otter and bird “attacks” has the public wondering if trying to understand animal behavior in human terms is misguided
How an Orca Skeleton Made Its Way From Florida to the Smithsonian
Washed up in a rare stranding event, the newly collected specimen will offer rich exploration for researchers
Teenager Helps Uncover 34-Million-Year-Old Whale Skull in Alabama
Working with one of her teachers, the 16-year-old student found the fossil, which may represent a new species, on her family’s property
Fossil of Tiny, Extinct Whale Discovered in Egypt, Named for King Tut
The species was around the size of a bottlenose dolphin and thrived 41 million years ago
This Massive Extinct Whale May Be the Heaviest Animal That Ever Lived
The newly discovered behemoth could unseat the blue whale for the title, but scientists can only make educated guesses about its weight
Fishermen Spot Rare Endangered Rice's Whale in the Gulf of Mexico
Scientists say no more than 100 individuals of the species exist in the wild, placing the Rice's whale among the scarcest marine mammals in the world
Watch Tens of Thousands of Beluga Whales Migrate With These Live Streams
The marine mammals are gathering in Canada's Hudson Bay and Churchill River—and their journey is a reminder of sea ice's importance
Aging Mother Orcas Keep Their Sons Out of Fights
In a new study, male orcas with mothers that had gone through menopause showed less tooth scarring on their fins compared to other males
Five Astounding Orca Behaviors Explained, From Ramming Boats to Hunting Great White Sharks
The apex predators also surge onto shorelines to capture seals and engage in mysterious greeting ceremonies
Tourists Spot 'Incredibly Rare' Whales Off California Coast
Cuvier's beaked whales can hold their breath for hours and don't spend much time at the surface, making them mysterious—and a treat to see
What Medieval Manuscripts Reveal About the Hidden History of Whales
A clever cetacean feeding trick may have launched a legend
The Shipwrecked Teenager Who Helped End Japan's Isolationist Era
Rescued by an American sea captain, Manjiro spent time abroad before returning home, where he was valued for his expertise but never fully trusted
Watch Whales Exfoliate Their Skin on the Ocean Floor
Migrating humpbacks used sand and rubble to slough off dead skin and barnacles, a behavior that may be both practical and social
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