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A dwarf minke whale. Body patterns are
unique to each animal and are used by researchers to identify individuals.
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Three behaviours may be associated with
disturbance: when the whale veers away from a swimmer; speeds-up
by increasing the sweep of its tail stock (these behaviours may
occur together); or when the whale dives away from snorkellers at
the surface. These behaviours have been recorded when snorkellers
or scuba divers swam directly at a whale. Repeated instances of
such behaviour would suggest that the whales are disturbed.
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A bubble blasting display, in which
an explosive cloud of bubbles is released underwater. This behaviour
is uncommon, and there is no clear indication that it is directed
to either the boat or the swimmers.
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Dwarf minke whales can be encountered
solitarily or in large groups (sometimes exceeding 20 animals).
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Lateral rolls exposing the whales' underbelly.
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Headrises may enable the whales a better
view above the surface. Sometimes the whale's eye is also exposed
above the surface - this is known as a Spy Hop.
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A dwarf minke whale surfaces to breathe.
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This whale has a fresh white oval scar
and a distinctive, chain-like series of dark scars above its right
eye. By noting where the scars are in relation to the colour pattern,
we can recognise individual whales.
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More scarring, possibly from tooth rake
marks or from the finlet bases of tunas.
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A dwarf minke whales surfacing to breathe.
Unlike larger whales, dwarf minkes rarely have a visible spout or
blow.
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Whales are more likely to pass close
to swimmers who remain still, holding a surface rope attached to
the vessel.
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Dwarf minke whales are manoeuvrable,
acrobatic whales and in many ways behave more like dolphins than
baleen whales.
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