This incredible humpback whale performed over 100 breaches over the span of 90 minutes — setting a new world record for the breaching frequency observed in cetaceans. 

Rainer Schimpf, expedition leader and boat captain, captured this amazing footage while on tour off the coast of South Africa. According to Rainer, he had “been out all morning trying to rescue a lost Humpback-whale baby. This approximately 1 year old “calf” must have lost its mother. After informing Oceans & Coast and DEAT, we followed this pristine marine mammal for almost 2 hours and during this period the little whale tried to get its mothers attention by breaching 100 times!”

At around 2:31 the whale fully jumps out of the water.

Breaching is the behavior in which cetaceans launch themselves out of the water into the air and fall back down with a splash. The technique implemented by humpback whales involves swimming vertically upwards from the ocean’s depths and heading straight to the surface.

The reasons for breaching are largely unknown but scientists have hypothesized that they utilize it as a communication signal amongst social groups. Other theories include that the large smack of their tails on the water as they return to the ocean may stun prey, making for an easy meal.

In this incident and based on the history of the story, the incessant breaching was most certainly performed as a way for the calf to get her mother’s attention.

Regardless of the reason, humpback whales are some of the most magnificent animals in the ocean and witnessing them behave like this is absolutely breathtaking.