JOURNAL ARTICLE

Opportunistic Observation of Long-Finned Pilot Whales Interacting with a Solitary Humpback Whale in the Gascogne Gulf (Northwest Atlantic).

  • Published In: Aquatic Mammals, 2025, v. 51, n. 6. P. 515 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Best, Paul; Habib-Dassetto, Lise; Cauzinille, Jules; Legou, Thierry; Delfour, Fabienne; Montant, Marie 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on an opportunistic observation of a solitary juvenile humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) interacting with a pod of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the French Atlantic coast in April 2024. The observation documented the behaviors and vocalizations of both species, noting that the pilot whales exhibited energetic movements and vocalizations without any evidence of predation or aggressive behavior towards the humpback whale. The authors suggest that the interaction likely stemmed from collective over-excitation, curiosity, and social enhancement rather than competition or harassment. The study contributes to the understanding of interspecies interactions among marine mammals in this region. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Aquatic Mammals. 2025/11, Vol. 51, Issue 6, p515
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0167-5427
  • DOI:10.1578/AM.51.6.2025.515
  • Accession Number:190594919
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