To flee or not to flee: anti-predator response of humpback whales on their breeding ground
Abstract
Anti-predator behaviors are usually well conserved within species, although they may vary across individuals depending on several factors such as socio-ecological contexts. Using humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), we investigated whether the flight anti-predator strategy observed in high-latitude feeding grounds is conserved in low-latitude breeding areas. Playbacks of predatory killer whale (KW) sounds were conducted in mother-calf pairs, some accompanied by a male escort. We quantified whales' behavioral responses using multi-sensor tags and visual observations. We revealed clear directional movements of whales away from the sound source, with a significant increase in speeds and a switch to near-surface movement patterns in response to KW playbacks (n = 5). Male escorts switched to synchronous surfacing with mothers. In contrast, no or slight responses were observed in response to control playbacks (n = 4). Our results indicate a cohesive flight anti-predator strategy, conserved on feeding and breeding grounds but complemented by context-dependent social components.
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BibTeX
@article{pichot2026flee,
title = {{To flee or not to flee: anti-predator response of humpback whales on their breeding ground}},
author = {Loanne Pichot and Maevatiana Ratsimbazafindranahaka and Salomé Martin-Marin and Chloé Huetz and Olivier Adam and Isabelle Charrier and Charlotte Curé},
journal = {iScience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2026.116953},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05775046v1},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - To flee or not to flee: anti-predator response of humpback whales on their breeding ground
AU - Loanne Pichot
AU - Maevatiana Ratsimbazafindranahaka
AU - Salomé Martin-Marin
AU - Chloé Huetz
AU - Olivier Adam
AU - Isabelle Charrier
AU - Charlotte Curé
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/02
JO - iScience
DO - 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116953
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05775046v1
AB - Anti-predator behaviors are usually well conserved within species, although they may vary across individuals depending on several factors such as socio-ecological contexts. Using humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), we investigated whether the flight anti-predator strategy observed in high-latitude feeding grounds is conserved in low-latitude breeding areas. Playbacks of predatory killer whale (KW) sounds were conducted in mother-calf pairs, some accompanied by a male escort. We quantified whales' behavioral responses using multi-sensor tags and visual observations. We revealed clear directional movements of whales away from the sound source, with a significant increase in speeds and a switch to near-surface movement patterns in response to KW playbacks (n = 5). Male escorts switched to synchronous surfacing with mothers. In contrast, no or slight responses were observed in response to control playbacks (n = 4). Our results indicate a cohesive flight anti-predator strategy, conserved on feeding and breeding grounds but complemented by context-dependent social components.
SN - 2589-0042
ER -