humpback-whale-mating: This is the first time in the history of humpback whale research that mating has ever been witnessed. During the "heat run" four males compete to copulate with a solitary female. Males slap fins on the ocean surface, rise out of the water arching their backs in displays of strength, exhaling and bubble blowing at each other. The epic battle between males to gain access to the female also has a tender side when the successful male uses his rostrum (nose), to rub the female’s tail and strokes her flank as they are coupled.
