Behaviour

Breaching -

leaping out of the water, twisting and crashing back into the sea. Perhaps to dislodge parasites and communicate with other whales.

Tail Lobs -

lifting the tail out of the water and slamming it down onto the surface making a loud noise.

Blowing -

whales surface to breathe through nostrils (blowholes) located on the top of the head. When exhaling, a 'v' shaped spray called a 'blow' forms, this helps identify a southern right whale.

Spy Hopping -

whales' eyes are situated low in the head, so to observe the surroundings they lift the head vertically out of the water.

Body Rolls -

sometimes rolling near the surface, females avoid male advances and calves wanting to suckle.

Tail Lifts -

lifting the tail just above the surface using the flippers for support, the tail acts as a sail.

Courtship -

can be a spectacular display of breaching, tail slapping, jostling and rolling.