Killer Whale Mimics Boat Motor

10/05/2011

If you needed any additional evidence of how smart orcas or killer whales are (and dolphins in general--killer whales are the largest dolphin species) look no further.

In the video below, a killer whale approaches a boat and begins to make a series of sounds that can't be anything other than the whale mimicking the sound of the boat motor. 

UPDATE: This whale is the subject of a film called The Whale that is showing in select cities across the country that explores the issues surrounding human-whale contact.  Video below by Suzanne Chisholm.

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that these animals live in complex social groups and have different behaviors depending on their dietary choices (some eat fish, some penguins, and some eat other marine mammals).  Different family groups even have different dialects that they use to communicate with each other.

While odd to hear, if you think about it, the fact that such an intelligent animal can mimic the sound of a boat motor isn't so surprising.  It's probably pretty simple compared to the brain work that they have to do in order to survive in the wild.  Check out these killer whales working as a coordinated team to dislodge a seal off an ice floe - now that's some smarts!

 

Learn more about Killer Whales from Animal Planet!

Profile: Orcas  I  Video: Orcas vs. Sperm Whale  I  Video: Confronting a Killer

Adopt a killer whale with the National Wildlife Federation.

Comments

[joe]

sounds to me like that whale ate some qdoba

[Pam]

OMg!!! This was amazing and funny!! How stinkin' adorable!! And.....to actually BE there to witness this HAD to be incredible!! That guy leaning over the boat..amazing!!!

[Robin]

I just wonder if that whale had other whales to be with or if it was attached to boats and that's why it was mimicking it.

[Pooka]

I second Robin's post... It makes me wonder if the whale had possibly gotten handouts from boats in the past...?

[Donna]

awesome

[Suzanne Chisholm]

This is footage I shot of a wild orca, Luna, in 2004. He had been separated from his family and tried to befriend people. We produced a feature documentary about Luna, called THE WHALE, which is now in theatrical release in the US and was recently named a New York Times Critics' Pick. For more info on the film and Luna, please check out our website, thewhalemovie.com

Suzanne Chisholm
Producer, Co-director, THE WHALE

[North Face Outlet]

I was in the church harmony heights when the tornado went over us four people were killed, we ran into the nursery as you saw the highschool be thrown like pick up sticks

[petmeds coupon]

That would have been awesome to be that close! We see killer whales in the Puget Sounds, WA sometimes, but not very often.

[fashion wedding dresses]

. It makes me wonder if the whale had possibly gotten handouts from boats in the past...?

[electric motor rewinds]

Amazing. The sound is like that of a motor boat on full throttle.

[audio brisbane]

This is amazing. I wonder where and why he would learn that.

[Long Island used boats]

Wow, that shark is really good! It is very believable.