Whales

The Role of the Bull Whale

Each whale species is unique in their family structure and the specific roles that each individual plays within that pod. For this reason, it is necessary to consider one species as a generalised example of the entire whale family. For the purposes of this article, the role of the Humpback Whale bull will be considered.

Humpback bulls, as with other whale species, sing when they are ready to mate. This is their indication that they are in search of a willing female, and is usually conducted during winter, when they are mating in the tropics. Recent research has, however, shown that Humpbacks even sing their serenades in spring months, when they ought to be concentrating on feeding and building their energy reserves. These songs are of the utmost importance to the bull and his mating success. Some of the low notes are so deep that humans are unable to hear them with the unaided ear. The higher notes are clearly audible, and these songs sound like a combination of singing and clicking. Incredibly, the song of the Humpback has themes and even rhymes, according to some researchers. These structured verses are repeated, in much the same way as verses and a chorus are sung. These songs can last for up to half an hour, and males will compete in terms of their musical ability, each adding his own unique talents and twists to the song.

The main role of the bull within the whale community and pod is to mate with and fertilise the female cow and to protect the cow and calf while they are vulnerable. His priorities, then, are to find suitable females with whom to mate, and to build up sufficient energy and strength to ward off competing males or potential attackers. This translates to a life spent eating and mating. This is also the reason that their songs are so important; these are the key method used for finding a mate, so they need to be alluring and effective. Males are likely to try and mate with females at any opportunity, whether it is mating season or not.

Mating is the time in which each bull needs to assert himself as the best choice for his female counterpart. When more than one male is competing for the attention of the cow, the competition may become dangerous and, indeed, very stressful, even for the cow and calf as spectators. Bulls will ram each other with their heads, or even their entire bodies. This causes massive injuries. Scars, gouges and even partial dorsal fins are testimony to past battles. During these encounters, the cow and calf spend much of their precious energy reserves dodging the dangerous males in their battle.

Once the calf is born, some whale species dictate that the bull stick to the mother and her calf and protect them from predators. Other bulls play no part in the gestation, birth or rearing of the young. The bull’s role in this particular sphere of the life cycle is completely dependent on his species.