Humpback Whale Instigates Object Play with a Lion’s Mane Jellyfish

Brendan D Shea,Austin J Gallagher

doi:10.3390/oceans2020022

Abstract

Cetaceans are well-known for their intelligence, charismatic nature, and curiosity. Many species, particularly odontocetes, are known to investigate and manipulate novel objects they encounter. Yet, disentangling the drivers of these behaviors and distinguishing between those that are simply playful and those which serve a specific function remains challenging due to a lack of direct observations and detailed descriptions of behaviors. This is particularly true for mysticetes such as humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), as records of object use are far less common than in odontocetes. Here, we present evidence of novel object use from a first of its kind encounter between an individual humpback whale and a large lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) in the coastal waters off New England. We detail the interaction and discuss possible drivers for the behavior, with a focus on cetacean innovation, ectoparasite removal, and wound healing.

Highlights

Play with a Lion’s Mane Jellyfish.Cetaceans are some of the largest and most charismatic marine species
At roughly 1450 h, an approximately 12 m long humpback whale, which was identified as a known 6-year-old female, was observed laterally rolling at the surface and interacting with an unidentified organic object (Figure 1a)
The object was first presumed to be a patch of algae or seaweed, but upon getting close to the individual the object was confirmed to be a large lion’s mane jellyfish

Summary

Introduction

While the authors in both instances speculated these behaviors were likely play, it remains unclear what function or role they may serve, and whether innovative, purpose-driven object use is present in other, more commonly observed mysticetes such as humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). We provide additional evidence for innovative object use in a large mysticete, by detailing observations of a single humpback whale interacting with a lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) in the coastal waters off New England. We describe this first of its kind behavior and discuss whether it may be innovative and function as a means of ectoparasite removal and wound healing

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion