~ by Carlos León

Love of Whale in Costa Rica

How does a male humpback whale (also called a “bull”) ensure the survival of his species if the females copulate with several other males and go out and about through great distances in the ocean?

Between July and October, the Costa Rican South Pacific's warm waters welcome some unique visitors: humpback whales.

Hundreds of them migrate from Antarctica on a huge 18,000-kilometer (over 11,000-mile) journey to look for a safe place to mate or give birth to their calves. The reasons for this migration are unknown, and there are still more questions than answers.

After a twelve-month gestation period, the females (also called “cows”) arrive on our coast to give birth. A 13- feet, 2,200-pound baby! Afterwards, the calves learn to breathe on the surface with their mothers’ help. Then come about 12 months of nursing, and the calf is now able to feed itself on krill (tiny crustaceans) and small fish.

Witnessing the interaction between a mother and her newborn is a very moving experience.

Regarding whale love, as is usual on Earth, female whales are in charge of selecting their males for copulation; the reproductive success of the bulls will depend on their techniques for impressing the females to mate.

Therefore, male humpback whales—like almost every male in the world—will not miss a chance to show off; they will breach and lift their 30-ton bodies, splash back into the water, and boast their huge pectoral fins.

While they are underwater, bulls also seduce the females by serenading them with a series of erotic chants.

To sum up, in whale love, male humpback whales use their physical attributes, singing skills, and even combat knowledge to attract cows, improving their reproduction odds and the survival of their species.

Let us protect them! Enjoy the whale watching in Costa Rica.