A kayaker really didn’t know what to say or do when he came across a humpback whale sticking its massive tail straight up into the air. Brodie Moss marveled at the strange behavior when the whale didn’t budge as he approached. Moss was in a see-through kayak, making the experience even more wonderful, since another whale (presumably the humpback’s calf) was circling around the larger animal.
Videos by Outdoors
“I believe this is called ‘tail sailing’ and it’s really rare for humpbacks to do, rarely been captured on film and no one really knows why they do it?” wrote Moss in his Instagram post sharing the video. “Hopefully this footage will help understand it a little better.”
Well over 3 million people liked the video. Many folks chimed in to say the footage is really cool.
“You always get badass footage!!!” wrote one person.
Tail sailing may function as a way for whales to thermoregulate. It may also be a convenient and comfortable way for mothers to nurse their calves.
Watch a kayaker come across a whale tail here: