Humpback whales, once teetering on the edge of extinction, are now thriving. These giants of the sea once numbered just 10,000. But now the Endangered Species Coalition estimates their population at around 80,000. On November 24, 2025, scientists from the University of Southern Denmark said they’ve examined how humpback whales in far eastern Russia have re-established themselves after decades of near disappearance. The banning of commercial whaling in 1986 was one key. And another, said the scientists, was the humpback whale’s willingness to eat whatever is available.
Olga Filatova of the the University of Southern Denmark led the research, which took place between 2017 and 2021. The research team visited an area in the Senyavin Strait near the Chukotka Peninsula – north of the Bering Sea – during summer and autumn to observe feeding behavior. Their central question was clear: How did humpback whales recover so successfully while so many other marine species still struggle?
The scientists published their study in the peer-reviewed journal Marine Mammal Science on September 13, 2025.
Humpback whales: From almost gone to almost everywhere
When Filatova embarked on her first field trip in 2000, she spent five years searching before spotting a single humpback. It’s a reminder of how dire the situation once was. Their rebound has been astonishing. Filatova said:
It was incredibly rare to spot one back then. Today, we see them almost every day when we’re in the field.
Flexible eaters win
Humpback whales don’t rely on a single prey species. If cod disappears, they switch to krill. And if krill dwindles, they’ll shift again. As Filatova explained:
We’ve seen humpback whales hunt cod in an area, and when the cod disappeared, they switched to krill.
Between 2017 and 2021, her team observed roughly 100 humpbacks shifting from hunting polar cod one year to feeding on dense krill swarms the next. This ability to change feeding strategies without leaving an area sets them apart from fin whales, which often travel long distances to chase preferred prey.
Humpbacks are energy-saving specialists. They’re not built for speed, so they rely on creativity instead. Scientists have begun cataloging their wide range of inventive hunting strategies – from bubble-net feeding to cooperative corralling – including the technique known as trap feeding.
In trap feeding, a whale floats at the surface with its mouth open in the vicinity of feeding gulls. The fish flee the gulls and swim toward what appears to be a safe shelter … until the jaws close.
Read more: Humpback whales manufacture and wield tools
Expanding into new seas
As Arctic conditions shift, humpback whales are appearing in regions where they were previously unknown. Melting sea ice has opened new foraging opportunities. It’s a development that threatens many Arctic species but seems to benefit humpbacks. Filatova said:
We are getting more and more reports of humpbacks in Arctic waters where they have never been seen before.
Their annual migrations already span tropical breeding grounds and polar feeding areas, and emerging research suggests they may soon establish entirely new seasonal routes as northern waters continue to warm.
Read more: Humpback whale breaks record for longest migration
A hopeful future for humpback whales
Filatova remains optimistic for humpback whales. Their intelligence, adaptability and creative feeding strategies helped them survive centuries of exploitation and now empower them to thrive in a changing ocean.
Meanwhile, it’s other whale species that have her concerned. Filatova said:
I’m more worried about whales that can only live in Arctic waters – that’s the bowhead whale, the beluga whale, and the narwhal.
Humans banned commercial whaling, creating the conditions that allow species like the humpback whale to rebound. It remains to be seen if they can do the same for other whale and Arctic species.
Bottom line: Humpback whales are making a remarkable comeback, thriving in new habitats thanks to conservation efforts and their adaptable feeding habits.
Via University of Southern Denmark
Read more: Humpback whales use Moreton Bay as a key calf refuge
Read more: Humpback whales communicate with us using “smoke” rings
The post Humpback whales thrive by not being picky eaters first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/Jo9dAeI
Humpback whales, once teetering on the edge of extinction, are now thriving. These giants of the sea once numbered just 10,000. But now the Endangered Species Coalition estimates their population at around 80,000. On November 24, 2025, scientists from the University of Southern Denmark said they’ve examined how humpback whales in far eastern Russia have re-established themselves after decades of near disappearance. The banning of commercial whaling in 1986 was one key. And another, said the scientists, was the humpback whale’s willingness to eat whatever is available.
Olga Filatova of the the University of Southern Denmark led the research, which took place between 2017 and 2021. The research team visited an area in the Senyavin Strait near the Chukotka Peninsula – north of the Bering Sea – during summer and autumn to observe feeding behavior. Their central question was clear: How did humpback whales recover so successfully while so many other marine species still struggle?
The scientists published their study in the peer-reviewed journal Marine Mammal Science on September 13, 2025.
Humpback whales: From almost gone to almost everywhere
When Filatova embarked on her first field trip in 2000, she spent five years searching before spotting a single humpback. It’s a reminder of how dire the situation once was. Their rebound has been astonishing. Filatova said:
It was incredibly rare to spot one back then. Today, we see them almost every day when we’re in the field.
Flexible eaters win
Humpback whales don’t rely on a single prey species. If cod disappears, they switch to krill. And if krill dwindles, they’ll shift again. As Filatova explained:
We’ve seen humpback whales hunt cod in an area, and when the cod disappeared, they switched to krill.
Between 2017 and 2021, her team observed roughly 100 humpbacks shifting from hunting polar cod one year to feeding on dense krill swarms the next. This ability to change feeding strategies without leaving an area sets them apart from fin whales, which often travel long distances to chase preferred prey.
Humpbacks are energy-saving specialists. They’re not built for speed, so they rely on creativity instead. Scientists have begun cataloging their wide range of inventive hunting strategies – from bubble-net feeding to cooperative corralling – including the technique known as trap feeding.
In trap feeding, a whale floats at the surface with its mouth open in the vicinity of feeding gulls. The fish flee the gulls and swim toward what appears to be a safe shelter … until the jaws close.
Read more: Humpback whales manufacture and wield tools
Expanding into new seas
As Arctic conditions shift, humpback whales are appearing in regions where they were previously unknown. Melting sea ice has opened new foraging opportunities. It’s a development that threatens many Arctic species but seems to benefit humpbacks. Filatova said:
We are getting more and more reports of humpbacks in Arctic waters where they have never been seen before.
Their annual migrations already span tropical breeding grounds and polar feeding areas, and emerging research suggests they may soon establish entirely new seasonal routes as northern waters continue to warm.
Read more: Humpback whale breaks record for longest migration
A hopeful future for humpback whales
Filatova remains optimistic for humpback whales. Their intelligence, adaptability and creative feeding strategies helped them survive centuries of exploitation and now empower them to thrive in a changing ocean.
Meanwhile, it’s other whale species that have her concerned. Filatova said:
I’m more worried about whales that can only live in Arctic waters – that’s the bowhead whale, the beluga whale, and the narwhal.
Humans banned commercial whaling, creating the conditions that allow species like the humpback whale to rebound. It remains to be seen if they can do the same for other whale and Arctic species.
Bottom line: Humpback whales are making a remarkable comeback, thriving in new habitats thanks to conservation efforts and their adaptable feeding habits.
Via University of Southern Denmark
Read more: Humpback whales use Moreton Bay as a key calf refuge
Read more: Humpback whales communicate with us using “smoke” rings
The post Humpback whales thrive by not being picky eaters first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/Jo9dAeI
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire