<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.

Published October 21, 2009

Read This Next

  • Magazine
  • Interactive Graphic
The woman who helped save Egypt's temples from doom
An unprecedented mission for 500 baby sharks
Enormous Viking ship holds surprising clues on burial rituals

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

How viruses shape our world

Read

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

Read

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read
  • Magazine

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

Explore

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

How viruses shape our world

Read

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

Read

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read
  • Magazine

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

Explore

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

Read

How viruses shape our world

Read

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

Read

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

Read
  • Magazine

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

Explore
See More