Think it’s difficult being a human parent? Try living a nomadic lifestyle, crossing thousands of kilometres each year for food and safe waters. Try navigating treacherous seas and giant waves, all the while disrupted by pesky whalers, noisy boat engines, and giant patches of ocean plastic waste.
Yes, being a whale mum comes with its very own unique challenges. These are just some reasons why whale mothers are true Blue Community icons.
Orcas are Proper Mummy’s Boys
Many whale mums dedicate months or years to raising their young, a lot longer than most other mammals. However, orca mothers take things a step further, dedicating their lives to caring for their young… well, their boys at least.
Male orcas are fully fledged mummy’s boys, with many relying on their mothers for food late into adulthood. According to a 2023 study, having a boy can often lead to orca mothers giving up on having more children, such is the burden of caring for their freeloading firstborn. Who can relate?
Orcas Take Girl Power to the Max
Unsurprisingly, female orcas take the lead in their pods, often becoming the community matriarch. This is perhaps because, while orca girls also stay close to their mothers for the duration of their lives, they gain their independence much more quickly than their brothers.
Studies have shown that female orcas particularly take to leadership roles after the menopause. Evidence also suggests elder female orcas are viewed as wise sages in their pods, acting as fountains of knowledge that guide the pod towards plentiful feeding grounds and safe birthing spots. Now that’s girl power!
Sperm Whales are the Best Baby Sitters
Ever get frustrated that you can’t find a babysitter or that when you do, they ask for a king’s ransom? Sperm whale mamas have no such problem. These ladies organise babysitting groups so their friends can look for food or get their fins done at the fin salon ;)
This is just one of the many ways that whales prioritise community, not just for survival but also for their general well-being. Maybe humans, with our selfish modern ways of living, could learn a thing or two from these gentle giants!
Blue Whales Produce 200l of Milk Daily
Know that 1-litre bottle of milk you have in your fridge? Blue whale mothers can produce 200 of those in a single day for a hungry calf. However, this isn’t milk you would want to drink if you were on a diet. It has a fat content of between 35-50%, which helps whale calves grow fast, while protecting them from icy cold waters.
Why TWOTHIRDS Loves Whales
Since being founded in 2010, TWOTHIRDS has been dedicated to marine conservation, especially when connected to whales. Why? Because the whale perfectly embodies everything we stand for: being caring, conscious, community-minded, and ocean at heart. Want to read more about our unbreakable bond to the humble whale? Dive in!
