Marine mammal news, features and articles
From sea lions to killer whales (and even polar bears), there's a great diversity of marine mammals living across Earth's oceans. At Live Science, we guide you through the underwater worlds of our marine relatives with the latest news, features and articles, so whether our expert writers and editors are explaining why deep-diving mammals don't black out or reporting on a gray whale breaking the mammal migration record, you'll always have interesting marine mammal facts to read.
Latest about Marine Mammals
Dolphin in the Baltic Sea has been talking to himself — and researchers think it's a sign he's lonely
By Melissa Hobson published
A solitary dolphin in the Baltic Sea has been recorded talking to himself, leading researchers to wonder whether he's lonely and calling out for friends.
Mysterious sound coming from the Mariana Trench has finally been explained
By Harry Baker published
A new study has revealed the exact origin of the Pacific Ocean's mysterious "biotwang" noises, which were first detected by underwater surveys near the Mariana Trench in 2014.
Sexually frustrated dolphin behind spate of attacks on humans off Japan
By Patrick Pester published
A stock image of an Indo-Pacific dolphin swimming (not the individual responsible for the recent attacks).
Boat-ramming orcas may be using yachts as target practice toys, scientists suggest
By Melissa Hobson published
Orcas off the coasts of Spain and Portugal may be using boats as targets to practice hunting their favorite food, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Watch heartbreaking footage of humpback whale with missing tail in Washington state
By Elise Poore published
Drone captures footage of a humpback whale missing its tail fluke — an injury suspected to be from long-term entanglement in fishing gear.
2 young orcas ram sailboat off northern France — 800 miles from 'attack' hotspot
By Sascha Pare published
Coastguards had to tow a 40-foot-long sailboat back to port after two young orcas severely damaged the boat's rudder near Guilvinec in the French region of Brittany.
Ultra-rare whale never seen alive washes up on on New Zealand beach — and scientists could now dissect it for the 1st time
By Harry Baker published
A beaked whale that recently washed up dead on a New Zealand beach likely belongs to the world's rarest cetacean species. If confirmed, researchers could dissect the species for the very first time.
Rabid seals are attacking people in South Africa
By Sascha Pare published
A string of fur seal attacks on surfers and beachgoers in Cape Town has been linked to an outbreak of rabies, with 11 seals testing positive for the virus so far.
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