Whales

These massive aquatic mammals are the largest animals on the planet. Dive deep into the latest research on whale anatomy, songs, social dynamics, habitat, populations, and more.

Latest in Whales

an orca whale dorsal fin coming out of the water

Orcas observed preying on massive whale sharks Orcas observed preying on massive whale sharks

By Laura Baisas

Beluga Whale or White Whale, delphinapterus leucas, Adult

Russian ‘spy whale’ was actually an aquatic guard turned ‘hooligan’ Russian ‘spy whale’ was actually an aquatic guard turned ‘hooligan’

two leopards fighting in dirt

14 dramatic moments from the 2024 Nature’s Best Photo Awards 14 dramatic moments from the 2024 Nature’s Best Photo Awards

By Popular Science Team

two sperm whales singing

New method for finding sperm whales kind of works like a rideshare app New method for finding sperm whales kind of works like a rideshare app

By Laura Baisas

a blue whale skeleton on display at a museum

Blue whale skeleton still leaking oil, 26 years after death Blue whale skeleton still leaking oil, 26 years after death

By Laura Baisas

a Byrde's whale surfaces to breathe in the Pacific Ocean

Elusive whale’s vocalization could be their version of ‘Marco Polo’ Elusive whale’s vocalization could be their version of ‘Marco Polo’

By Laura Baisas

a whale surfaces next to a large fishing trawler

Whales need krill to survive. We want it for supplements. Whales need krill to survive. We want it for supplements.

By Laura Baisas

several white circles surround a humpback whale with an open mouth

Humpback whales use bubble-nets as ‘tools’ Humpback whales use bubble-nets as ‘tools’

By Laura Baisas

Beluga Whale Live Cam brings the ‘canaries of the sea’ to your screen Beluga Whale Live Cam brings the ‘canaries of the sea’ to your screen

By Laura Baisas

a long and lean sei whale swimming in the ocean

Dozens of rare, endangered whales spotted off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard Dozens of rare, endangered whales spotted off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard

By Laura Baisas

three sperm whales swimming near the surface of the ocean

Sperm whales may have their own ‘alphabet’ Sperm whales may have their own ‘alphabet’

By Laura Baisas

two white beluga whales at the surface of the water

Toothed whales traded chewing for echolocation to evolve Toothed whales traded chewing for echolocation to evolve

By Laura Baisas

killer whale jumping out of water an orca

The fascinating truth about killer whales The fascinating truth about killer whales

By Craig Welch / Hakai Magazine

a black and white orca whale leaps out of the ocean while hunting a sea lion. another whale is surfacing near by.

How crafty orca whales hunt near submarine canyons How crafty orca whales hunt near submarine canyons

By Laura Baisas

An orca whale hunts a great white shark. Blood is seen near the orca's mouth.

Orca observed hunting and killing a great white shark by itself for the first time Orca observed hunting and killing a great white shark by itself for the first time

By Laura Baisas

tail of a humpback whale in the ocean sticking out of the waves

Why scientists are tracking whale tails with AI Why scientists are tracking whale tails with AI

By Mack DeGeurin

A single humpback whale calf swimming in the waters off of French Polynesia.

We finally know how baleen whales make noise We finally know how baleen whales make noise

By Laura Baisas

A killer whale in the Salish Sea is observed harassing a porpoise, a behavior that has long perplexed scientists.

Why are these orcas harassing porpoises? Scientists have 3 theories. Why are these orcas harassing porpoises? Scientists have 3 theories.

By Laura Baisas

Manatee in a patch of sunlight

Sea the beauty of the world’s oceans with these 12 award-worthy photos Sea the beauty of the world’s oceans with these 12 award-worthy photos

By Popular Science Team

An orca whale swims around an ice flow with a crabeater seal and penguin on the ice.

New series offers an intimate look into how climate change impacts the lives of wildlife New series offers an intimate look into how climate change impacts the lives of wildlife

By Laura Baisas