In the recent studies, researchers showed that this behavior happens for extensive periods of time at or near the seafloor, that it occurs in the presence of concentrations of sand lance (a preferred prey fish), and that the behavior is accompanied by the expansion of the animal's ventral (throat) pleats. (sciencedaily.com)
TrackPlot, a custom software tool developed by Ware, translated the tags» data into a three - dimensional ribbon that illustrated the whales» paths as they repeatedly dove to the bottom of the ocean, rolled onto their sides, tilted their heads down, and feasted on sand lance, a favorite food that is abundant there. (sciencedaily.com)
By going after the tasty sand lance, it appears that humpbacks may be putting themselves in danger of getting tangled up in the gear humans are using to catch their own tasty meals. (sciencenews.org)