<p><br> Scientists aren't sure why whales breach. Some say it's to clean off parasites. Others say it's just for fun.</p>

Humpback Whale Breaching


Scientists aren't sure why whales breach. Some say it's to clean off parasites. Others say it's just for fun.

Photograph courtesy NOAA

Whales

See whale pictures (including right whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, and more) in this photo gallery from National Geographic.

Read This Next

Extremely rare sperm whale birth caught on camera
Why are so many dead whales washing up on the East Coast?
Cruise ship stumbles on rare gathering of 1,000 whales

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet