Why do marine mammals “beach” themselves?
August 4th 2007 11:54
There are many reasons why this behavior occurs some of the reasons are perhaps the animals are sick confused or just lost, or they may become aware when they’re dying and like elephants seek a place for them to die. Whales and dolphins beach themselves in many parts of the world so there must be some trigger to cause this phenomenon.
Are these creatures committing mass suicide or are they making a protest because some countries are intent on eating them?
Humanity has made a detrimental impact on marine animals especially the whale it has been hunted killed for their oil and meat a practice which is sadly still continuing.
Large ships with their powerful underwater sonar have interfered with the marine mammal’s navigation; many animals bear the scars of collisions with the propeller of ships.
There is an African legend that tells of old elephants that are close to death would leave the heard and seek a place to die. To date the elephant’s graveyard has not been found that this doesn’t mean that no such place exists.
Elephants including marine mammals are very intelligent species and like humans and chimpanzees, elephants become agitated when they come across remains of elephants that passed on.
Research shows that whales can communicate over great distances they also are excellent navigators. The biology of whales is a complex one too details to go into here however there is some evidence that whale’s higher brain functions and circulatory system is an important factor in the way the whales navigate at sea.
Due to the huge blood volume and the high concentration of hemoglobin content that enables the whale to live also aids in the way whales navigate. The blood which carries a high amount of iron and passes through the whale’s brain can be used by the whale to navigate. If this function is disrupted by the use of high frequency radio waves or powerful man made underwater sonar from ships or submarines it can confuse the animal which may account for the “beaching” phenomenon.
There are factors to consider such as climatic changes sea temperature Earth’s magnetic field fluctuations pollution, other diseases the animal may exhibit at the time can also be a contributing factor.
Photo-Stefan Jacobs
Are these creatures committing mass suicide or are they making a protest because some countries are intent on eating them?
Humanity has made a detrimental impact on marine animals especially the whale it has been hunted killed for their oil and meat a practice which is sadly still continuing.
There is an African legend that tells of old elephants that are close to death would leave the heard and seek a place to die. To date the elephant’s graveyard has not been found that this doesn’t mean that no such place exists.
Elephants including marine mammals are very intelligent species and like humans and chimpanzees, elephants become agitated when they come across remains of elephants that passed on.
Research shows that whales can communicate over great distances they also are excellent navigators. The biology of whales is a complex one too details to go into here however there is some evidence that whale’s higher brain functions and circulatory system is an important factor in the way the whales navigate at sea.
Humpback Whale
Due to the huge blood volume and the high concentration of hemoglobin content that enables the whale to live also aids in the way whales navigate. The blood which carries a high amount of iron and passes through the whale’s brain can be used by the whale to navigate. If this function is disrupted by the use of high frequency radio waves or powerful man made underwater sonar from ships or submarines it can confuse the animal which may account for the “beaching” phenomenon.
There are factors to consider such as climatic changes sea temperature Earth’s magnetic field fluctuations pollution, other diseases the animal may exhibit at the time can also be a contributing factor.
Photo-Stefan Jacobs
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
I see you have covered all the major reasons, except pollution, and mercury being a factor possibly?
I remember there being spirited debate over the new powerful sonar, to be used by the USA Navy, with many scientists stating it will kill and disorientate marine animals. Also, the shifting poles, I am not up to date what state they are in now, it would be interesting to know, if you are able to find out? Compared to the early 1970's, how much have the Poles changed, in intensity and position? Have they started to multiply yet?
Also, I have been keeping mental tabs on the seismic activity in our locale, well from Japan down to NZ, and seem to notice, as I suspected, a continuing 'adjustment' happening. Do you know if it is increasing in rate and power, compared to the decade before the Boxing Day tsunami? Why I ask is, I believe there may also be a correlation between the Pole shift and an increasing instability in the Earth's crust.
cheers and NO WHALE BURGERS!!!!!!!!!!
fog
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by CarlCan
Astro Earth
tectonic plates are shifting and are in constant motion.
Expect to see an increase in earthquake activity with rising water levels in the pacific/ asian reagion wihtin the next 20 months. I also thin that Australia will experience an increase in gelogical motion/ contenental plate displacement during this period.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
yes I realize the plates are basically on constant move, (my dad was an exploration geologist and did a lot of the original geological mapping of Australia), and it is interesting you see a connection with the water levels, but the electro-magnetic field, being pulled by both mass plasma ejection from the sun and possibly the Pole shift?
That is what really interests me, as it could provide the tipping point, so to speak, for a lot of upheaval, or do you not consider this a factor?
And do you have any info on the Pole positions and movement?
We can communicate privately about this if you wish...
cheers
fog
Comment by CarlCan
Astro Earth
The sun does affect the earth;s magnetic field by bending the flow not actully changing the Earth's magnetic fields.
The molten core ( having a high concentration of iron) does produce magnetism like a giant electric motor and the slow inner core rotation is more likely to produce changes in the Earth's magnetic fields as far as intensity not necessarily the magnetic field polarity.
(N/S) although there is evidence that in the past the earth's magnetic filed was switched and this can occur in the present (I have no time line on that)
The earth's magnetic plolarity can be changed by the Earth undergoing a massive field collapse that is the magnetic field is weaked and then goes through a massive kick start process again energising and perhaps reversing the Earth's magnetic fields.
Carl