As a species, whales are generally non-violent and do not display aggressive behaviors toward humans. However, when a whale feels threatened or frightened, it may defend itself by attacking what it thinks is a potential threat.
Indeed, whales see the world in shades of grey! They can distinguish light from dark, but, like humans who are colour blind, they cannot tell the difference between red and green on a traffic light.
The video below by House of the Future points out that only one species of whale even has a throat big enough to fit a human. And yes, you would suffocate or be crushed or burned in acid if that happened.
Whales in general are very tactile, Swartz says: “They love to rub and touch.
Gray whales are known to be very curious and inquisitive, giving them reputation of being the “friendly” whale.
Across the internet, the “52-hertz whale,” often called “the world's loneliest whale,” has become a widely shared touchstone signifying melancholy and alienation.
Incredible footage has emerged of a giant humpback whale protecting a diver from a circling shark in the pacific. Marine biologist Nan Hauser was lifted by the 22 tonne whale's head totally out of the water to save her from the 15 foot tiger shark.
There are many cases where nomadic killer whales have gravitated to humans, bonding with them and playing games. Trainers at places like Sea World say very little goes into orca training. The whales seem to understand people, and are eager to cooperate and create bonds.
You Should Never Touch a Whale
You might get hurt or sick. Whales may scratch, bite, or thrash their tails, placing you in danger. Whales can also transmit a specific disease called brucellosis. You may also transmit bacteria to the whale, making them sick.
It is safe to swim with whales, but do listen to the instructions of your guide. Be respectful to the whales by keeping your distance and not touching them. Humpback whales themselves avoid anything or anybody on their path, and they are very aware of their surroundings.
Dolphins have a reputation for being friendly, but they are actually wild animals who should be treated with caution and respect. Interactions with people change dolphin behavior for the worse. They lose their natural wariness, which makes them easy targets for vandalism and shark attack.
Whale and dolphin brains contain specialized brain cells called spindle neurons. These are associated with advanced abilities such as recognising, remembering, reasoning, communicating, perceiving, adapting to change, problem-solving and understanding. So it seems they are deep thinkers!
Not because it means whales can speak English, but that they are capable of one of the core building blocks of language development in humans: vocal learning, the ability to copy novel sounds. The astonishing thing about a whale saying “hello” is not what it means to us, but what it means to them – absolutely nothing.
The Essex, a whaling vessel, was attacked by a sperm whale in 1820. The ship sank, and many of the crew members were either lost immediately or died of starvation as they awaited rescue for nearly eight months.
Interestingly, though they are enormous, blue whales are not predatory. They filter feed for tiny krill and are totally harmless to people (other than through accidental collisions).
There are a few theories about why orcas don't attack humans in the wild, but they generally come down to the idea that orcas are fussy eaters and only tend to sample what their mothers teach them is safe. Since humans would never have qualified as a reliable food source, our species was never sampled.
Orca attacks on humans
There is no record of an orca ever killing a human in the wild. This is because humans are not part of their natural diet. Occasionally, an orca may mistake a human for something they do eat, such as a seal.
To sum everything up, whales do not cry in the way humans are familiar with because whales lack the tear ducts necessary for crying, and while they possess tear glands, these glands are used to secrete a greasy liquid to keep their eyes clean and free from debris.
Great whales live almost 100 years, so people call him “the loneliest creature on the earth.
They have personalities and celebrate their identity. Some whale species give their calves names and greet each other when they meet. They show love, empathy, and grief.
Do whales at least like the music humans make? Probably not, but they seem to like doing their own cover versions. Whales vastly prefer their own style of music, which, among humpback whales for example, might be described as a series of squeals, gurgles, and moans.
Despite being known as gentle giants, blue whales can emit sounds loud enough to cause hearing loss in humans. These massive creatures can make noises as loud as 188 decibels, which is 38 decibels higher than a jet taking off 25 meters away.
Whales are gradually becoming friendly to humans and enjoy being petted by them. We can also conclude that they are friendly because of their curious nature, which makes them want to know more about the humans swimming around their environment.
It's estimated that dolphins have an IQ of around 45, this makes them one of the smartest animals in the world, and probably the smartest animal in the ocean. It's estimated that the dolphin's brain size is almost five times bigger than is usual for a creature of their size.