You won’t believe what I just learned about humpback whales. Until recently, I never considered what their placentas could look like. Some fortunate visitors on a whale-watching tour with Oceanic Adventures in Australia had the chance to see one up close. Picture this: you’re scanning the ocean for signs of whales, and then—surprise!—a massive placenta floats by.
The captain and the guests snapped several photos because, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to capture that moment? According to a Facebook update from Alex Bennett at Oceanic Adventures, “this sighting is so rare that our captain, known to most as Finn, has never seen this in 20 years at sea, and I’ve never witnessed it in 15 years of whale watching.”
While some might find this sight a bit off-putting—after all, birth can be quite messy—I think it’s absolutely incredible! These humpback whale mothers are out there in the vast ocean, giving birth without any help. There’s no partner whale holding their fin or dolphin doula to guide them through the process. They’re just doing it on their own, bringing new life into the world like it’s no big deal. Then they release this three-foot-wide placenta, which floats to the surface like a grand announcement: “Hey World, I just gave birth to a 1,000-pound baby! What did you accomplish today?”
Whale mothers truly deserve some pampering after that.
To be honest, I never took a moment to look at any of my three placentas. I had c-sections, and before heading into the operating room, I signed paperwork to donate the placentas to science. I’m not sure what “science” intended to do with them, but I knew I wouldn’t be using them. I’m not the type to encapsulate my placenta or anything like that; if you are, more power to you!
But now, this whale placenta sighting has sparked my curiosity. It’s fascinating to think about the size of a placenta for such a massive marine mammal. I always knew they existed, but I just assumed predators would quickly devour them or that they would sink. I had no idea that I could potentially see one during a whale-watching cruise!
Now, I can add “see a whale placenta in person” to my bucket list of unusual animal encounters, right alongside “watch a moose cross the road” and “snuggle with baby ducks.” Although, given the excitement marine biologists express when one of these placentas surfaces, I’m guessing I might have better luck with the moose than spotting a placenta.
My fascination with whale mothers began a few years back. In 2018, Tahlequah, the orca known as J35, carried her deceased calf for over two weeks in British Columbia waters while grieving. At that time, I had just endured a heartbreaking miscarriage. Watching that whale carry her baby resonated with me. It highlighted that instinctive desire to hold on, even when hope is gone. Perhaps all mothers, regardless of species, share some common threads.
Tahlequah welcomed living babies in 2020, and I couldn’t help but shed happy tears when I heard the news. If you’re not familiar with her story, it’s worth reading. She’s experienced loss, grief, and has even cared for her sister’s calves after her sister’s passing. Tahlequah has been through so much, and she captivates me.
Now, alongside my admiration for orcas, I have a newfound respect for the strong humpback mothers. The sheer size of their placentas emphasizes the enormity of their babies. A newborn humpback can measure 10-15 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds—so perhaps the real marvel is that the placenta doesn’t have to be even larger. Talk about one gigantic baby!
You go, whale mamas! If I could, I’d give you a giant high five right on your majestic fin.
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In summary, my newfound appreciation for humpback whales, sparked by witnessing their rare placenta, has opened my eyes to the incredible strength of whale mothers. This experience highlights the miracle of life in the ocean and reminds us of the connection we share with all mothers, regardless of species.
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