Whales have long been spotted wearing seaweed, and now scientists have discovered the reason behind this peculiar behavior. According to a new study published in the journal Marine Science and Engineering, the marine plant offers several benefits to these giant mammals. However, it's not clear whether the whales wear seaweed hats for practical purposes or simply for fun.

The Study

The study, conducted by researchers Olaf Meynecke and Hilla Kela, focuses specifically on baleen whales. The team collected data from over 100 separate incidents of whales wearing seaweed, documented through photographs and videos on social media.

The researchers found that the seaweed is often worn in front of the whale's blowhole or on its dorsal fin. They even provided a detailed drawing in their paper, demonstrating the perfect location for the seaweed hat.

Why Do Whales Wear Seaweed?

There are several possible reasons why whales wear seaweed. It's believed that the algae has antibacterial properties, which could help the whales with skin treatments and ectoparasite removal. Additionally, the seaweed could provide relief for itching or help the whales remove barnacles.

Meynecke stated, "Playful whales can use seaweed as a hat – or exfoliant. This 'kelping' behavior is more common than we realized." The researchers noted that the whales seemed to enjoy wearing the seaweed hats, suggesting that it might also serve a socializing and learning purpose.

Still Much to Learn

The study highlights that there is still a lot to discover about these fascinating marine creatures. The researchers hope that increased use of drones and cameras will allow for more observation of this whale hat behavior. With further research, we may gain a deeper understanding of the whales' habits and what motivates them to wear these natural accessories.