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" males compete to copulate with a solitary female, slapping fins on the ocean surface and arching their backs in displays of strength, exhaling and bubble blowing at each other. The epic battle between males is not only an endurance race but it 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.
