Orca Whales Captured 'Making Out' in the Wild For the First Time in 'Exceptionally Rare' Kissing Session
The behavior is considered "extremely rare" by scientists and was previously only seen by juvenile orcas in captivity
Scientists believe that the kissing-like behavior likely reinforces "social bonds" between the animalsScientists have recorded the wild orcas engaging in "tongue-nibbling" — a social behavior similar to "making out" or French kissing — for the first time ever.
Details on the documentation of this rare behavior appear in a new study published in the Oceans journal on June 11. Prior to the study, which includes images of two young wild killer whales "tongue-nibbling" in the waters near Norway, the behavior was only witnessed in a handful of captive orcas.
According to the study, "tongue nibbling" is a "socially affiliative behavior" which likely reinforces "social bonds" — particularly among juvenile orcas. It is also a behavior that is deemed "exceptionally rare," the study's co-author, Javier Almunia, told Live Science.
"Orca caretakers at several facilities are aware of the behaviour, but its prevalence is extremely low — it may appear and then not be observed again for several years," he told the outlet.
The "tongue-nibbling" behavior documented in the study was observed by a group of snorkelers under the supervision of expedition leaders on January 11, 2024, in the Kvænangen fjords, located in northern Norway.
The snorkelers observed two killer whales "engaging in a prolonged mouth-to-mouth interaction" that lasted almost two minutes. The snorkelers noted that the orcas "approached one another and maintained contact between the anterior portions of their heads" as they interacted.
"At that time, some observers on board remarked that the animals appeared to be 'kissing' beneath the boat—a description identical to that provided independently by the guests who recorded the event in Tverrfjorden," the study said.
Photos captured of the event and shared in the study show one orca opening its mouth as the other encloses its mouth around the other animal's tongue. Scientists noted in the study that "one individual protruded its tongue while the other made gentle nibbling movements."
Scientists said after recording the behavior, they "consulted" with three professional divers and underwater videographers with extensive experience documenting killer whales, who noted that they had not witnessed the "tongue-nibbling" before.
Senior marine mammal trainers at Loro Parque confirmed that they had observed this behavior among "four individuals housed at the facility," although they had not witnessed it in "subsequent years," according to the study.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The study noted that there were "significant parallels" between the orcas' "tongue-nibbling" and "mouth-to-mouth interactions" in belugas. The scientists shared that those behaviors often involved "younger individuals" and served an "affiliative function."
"This could suggest that, given cetacean anatomy — particularly the adaptation of limbs to the marine environment — oral contact may serve as a more versatile means of social communication than in terrestrial mammals," Almunia told Live Science.
However, scientists also noted that they were uncertain why the orcas exhibited these behaviors, and further research would be needed to understand "tongue-nibbling" definitively.
Luke Rendall, a marine mammal researcher at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, told Live Science that the behavior "may be affiliative, it might be a form of begging, that is trying to stimulate food transfers, it might even be a form of grooming, somehow having a cleaning function."
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Giant Wave in Pacific Ocean Was The Most Extreme 'Rogue Wave' Ever Recorded
In November 2020, a freak wave appeared, lifting a lone buoy off the coast of British Columbia 17.6 meters (58 feet) high. A few years later, the four-story wall of water was confirmed to be the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded. Such an extraordinary event is thought to happen only once every 1,300 years. And if the buoy hadn't been taken for a ride, we might never have known it had occurred. For centuries, rogue waves were regarded as mere nautical folklore. It wasn't until 1995 that myth became reality. On the first day of the new year, a nearly 26-meter (85-foot) wave struck an oil-drilling platform about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the coast of Norway. Related: At the time, the so-called Draupner wave defied all previous models scientists had put together. Since then, dozens more rogue waves have been recorded (some even in lakes), and while the one that surfaced near Ucluelet, Vancouver Island was not the tallest, its relative size compared to the waves around it was unprecedented. Scientists define a rogue wave as any wave more than twice the height of the waves surrounding it. The Draupner wave, for instance, was 25.6 meters tall, while its neighbors were only 12 meters tall. In comparison, the Ucluelet wave was nearly three times the size of its peers. "Proportionally, the Ucluelet wave is likely the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded," explained physicist Johannes Gemmrich from the University of Victoria in 2022. "Only a few rogue waves in high sea states have been observed directly, and nothing of this magnitude." Today, researchers are still trying to figure out how rogue waves are formed so we can better predict when they will arise. This includes measuring rogue waves in real time and also running models on the way they get whipped up by the wind. The buoy that picked up the Ucluelet wave was placed offshore along with dozens of others by a research institute called MarineLabs in an attempt to learn more about hazards out in the deep. Even when freak waves occur far offshore, they can still destroy marine operations, wind farms, or oil rigs. If they are big enough, they can even put the lives of beachgoers at risk. Luckily, neither Ucluelet nor Draupner caused any severe damage or took any lives, but other rogue waves have. Some ships that went missing in the 1970s, for instance, are now thought to have been sunk by sudden, looming waves. The leftover floating wreckage looks like the work of an immense white cap. Unfortunately, a 2020 study predicted wave heights in the North Pacific are going to increase with climate change, which suggests the Ucluelet wave may not hold its record for as long as our current predictions suggest. Experimental research published last year suggests these monstrous waves can be up to four times higher than previously thought possible. "We are aiming to improve safety and decision-making for marine operations and coastal communities through widespread measurement of the world's coastlines," said MarineLabs CEO Scott Beatty. "Capturing this once-in-a-millennium wave, right in our backyard, is a thrilling indicator of the power of coastal intelligence to transform marine safety." The study was published in Scientific Reports. An earlier version of this article was published in February 2022. Related News Mind-Blowing Discovery: Peacocks Have Lasers In Their Tails World's Longest Lightning Strike Crossed 515 Miles From Texas to Kansas Stunning New Video Reveals Deepest-Known Undersea Life Forms Solve the daily Crossword
Geek Tyrant
a day ago
- Geek Tyrant
Behind-the-Scenes Video Revealing How SUPERMAN's Most Criticized Flight Shot Was Filmed — GeekTyrant
James Gunn has cleared the air on one of Superman 's most talked-about moments, revealing exactly how the controversial barrel-roll flying shot was pulled off. In a new behind-the-scenes video shared on Instagram, Gunn shows David Corenswet strapped into a practical rig on a soundstage at Trilith Studios. The actor is being physically spun by a crew member to simulate the dynamic mid-air roll, while massive LED screens project a snowy mountain backdrop filmed on location in Svalbard, Norway. 'On the stage at Trilith shooting the barrel roll through the mountains. All the plates were shot previously in Svalbard. 7.26.24,' Gunn wrote in the caption. The footage confirms a mix of old-school practical work and cutting-edge digital environments, shutting down earlier theories that the shot was entirely CG. This moment became a flashpoint back when it debuted in a Superman TV spot earlier this year. Some fans criticized the sequence for looking 'off,' even claiming Corenswet's face had been digitally replaced. Gunn addressed those claims head-on months ago, writing, 'There is absolutely zero CG in his face. People's faces can look different when you put a wide-angle lens up close. The background plate in Svalbard is 100% real, as is David.' Now, the new video offers proof. What looked like pure CGI to many was actually Corenswet on a practical rig with real-world elements integrated into the shot. Gunn's reveal highlights the creative process behind bringing Superman's flight to life in a way that feels tangible. It's a fascinating look at how the film blends practical effects with advanced tech, staying true to the cinematic ambition Gunn promised from the start.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Medscape
Poor Sleep Quality May Worsen Emotional Burden in T2D
TOPLINE: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who experienced sleep impairments, including short sleep duration, snoring, and insomnia symptoms, were more likely to face an increased risk for diabetes distress. In particular, daytime coping difficulties due to sleep problems showed a notably prominent association with diabetes distress. METHODOLOGY: Researchers in Norway conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association between sleep impairment and diabetes distress in 1954 participants with T2D (mean age, 67.3 years; mean duration of diabetes, 12.1 years) recruited from an ongoing longitudinal population-based study. Diabetes distress was self-reported using the five-item Problem Areas in Diabetes Questionnaire; a total score of 8 or above denoted high levels of diabetes distress. Sleep impairments were assessed using the sleeping HUNT (The Trøndelag Health Study) Questionnaire that included questions on snoring, sleep apnoea, insomnia, daytime functioning, and restless legs; the number of hours of sleep at night was assessed using a different question. TAKEAWAY: Participants who reported sleep impairments were more often women; had lower socioeconomic status, higher mean BMI, and elevated systolic blood pressure; were current smokers; and exercised less frequently. Difficulties coping during daytime due to sleep problems showed the strongest association with diabetes distress (regression coefficient [β], 2.6; 95% CI, 1.7-3.6), followed by trouble falling asleep (β, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.8-2.2) and early morning awakening (β, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7-1.8). Short sleep duration (≤ 7 hours), snoring, nighttime awakenings, and having restless legs were also associated with higher levels of diabetes distress. Associations between sleep impairments and diabetes distress were similar between men and women. IN PRACTICE: "The assessment of sleep quality should be part of routine diabetes care in people with T2D. Efforts need to be made to raise awareness towards the relationship between sleep impairments and diabetes distress, which further may encourage these individuals to prioritize sleep and seek help when needed," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Hilde K.R. Riise, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway. It was published online on July 25, 2025, in Diabetic Medicine. LIMITATIONS: The study population was predominantly Caucasian. The cross-sectional design of the study precluded causal inferences between sleep impairment and diabetes distress. Moreover, sleep impairment data were self-reported without clinical verification and were collected at a single timepoint. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the Swedish Research Council and Helse Vest. Some authors reported receiving honoraria for lectures and lecture fees from certain pharmaceutical companies. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
