Never-before-seen moment two frisky killer whales are filmed KISSING in incredible footage – and they even use tongue
The killer smooch was caught on camera by scientists during a snorkelling trip in northern Norway.
4
Two orcas (also known as killer whales) were spotted kissing in northern Norway
Credit: Javier Almunia, et al
4
One orca extends its tongue as the other gently nibbles it
Credit: Javier Almunia, et al
4
The interaction lasted nearly two minutes
Credit: Javier Almunia, et al
The heart-warming interaction between the two orcas - also known as killer whales - took place in the dramatic Kvænangen fjords, about 68 miles northeast of Tromsø.
In the nearly two-minute-long video, the orcas are seen engaging in three separate 'kissing' episodes, lasting 10, 26 and 18 seconds each.
During these intimate moments, one orca extends its tongue while the other appears to gently mouth or nibble it.
After the final 'kiss', the highly intelligent mammals part ways and swim off in opposite directions.
Read more tech news
In the paper published in the journal Oceans, researchers describe the two adult orcas as engaging in 'repeated episodes of gentle, face-to-face oral contact'.
The snorkellers floated quietly and horizontally in the water - careful not to disturb the orcas - and filmed the interaction on a GoPro.
Scientists call this tactile interaction 'tongue-nibbling'.
Study author Dr Javier Almunia told
Most read in Tech
While tongue-nibbling has not been recorded in other species, similar mouth-to-mouth contact has been spotted in belugas, according to Dr Almunia.
He added: "This behaviour appears to serve affiliative purposes and may play a role in reinforcing social bonds or resolving conflicts, akin to grooming or reconciliation behaviours in other highly social species."
Watch rare vid of 'glowing' albino killer whale as elusive real-life Moby Dick breaches waves leaving orca fan 'shaking'
Mouth-to-mouth contact in orcas was previously recorded in 2013 at Loro Parque, a zoo on Tenerife.
During that observation, 'one individual protruded its tongue while the other made gentle nibbling movements,' the study authors, Dr Almunia and colleagues, explain.
The zoo-keepers reported that tongue-nibbling behaviour had been noted in four individual orcas at the park.
Mouth-to-mouth contact was first documented in captive orcas in a 1978 study by Paul Spong and Ingrid Visser, who suggested it plays a role in maintaining social cohesion.
It comes as two pals on a fishing trip spotted what appeared to be a
David Hilton, 64, and Paul Bradshaw, 61, were angling off the South Coast when they saw several large creatures breaching the surface.
They appeared to be hunting dolphins in busy international shipping lanes, just five miles south of Plymouth, Devon.
Orcas are found in oceans all over the world, but they are most commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest (US and Canada), Norway,
Iceland
and the Antarctic water.
But sightings in the Channel are rare.
The Channel is not a typical habitat for orcas as it is shallow and heavily trafficked.
4
Sightings of orcas in the Channel are rare
Credit: Getty
Why do orcas "kiss"?
ORCAS are highly intelligent mammals, known for their advanced communication skills and their complex social structures
Killer whales are known to 'kiss' by gently touching or nuzzling each other with their mouths.
Scientists say this behaviour is a way for orcas to show affection, build trust and communicate - much like humans hugging or holding hands.
Researchers studying orcas both in the wild and in captivity believe this behaviour helps them relieve stress, resolve conflicts and strengthen long-term social bonds.
When orcas 'kiss' or nuzzle, it's usually an affectionate, social gesture rather than a romantic one.
Mothers and calves are often seen engaging in this behaviour, along with other members of a pod - their tight-knit family groups.
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