Why do whales jump out of the water?
Whales jump and slap the water to create noise [1,3,5]. This is a means of communication that helps whales communicate with each other across extremely large distances [1,3,5].
Whales jump out of the water for several reasons. During observational research, whales were noticed to slap the water with their fins and tails in specific ways [1]. This may be a way for whales to communicate with other whales across extremely large distances [1, 3]. Jumping into the air and slapping the water while crashing down creates noise, and this noise helps whales communicate with each other [1, 3]. Whales may also breach to inform others of a desire or as play [3]. In highly social groups, breaching may be used to communicate to others that they have found nearby food [4]. Whales may breach to avoid drowning or expel water from their lungs [4]. Whales breach and jump for the loud sound effect. With a splash so big, it’s only obvious that it would be accompanied by a noise just as big [5].