Marine mammal news, features and articles

Scientists may have finally figured out why a population of orcas in the Salish Sea have been tossing porpoises around and taking them into their mouths without eating them.

The female orca was found far from her normal hunting ground with six whole sea otters in its stomach and one lodged between its oral cavity and the esophagus.

Humpback whales may enjoy rolling around in seaweed as a form of play, but "kelping" could also help maintain their skin health by removing parasites and bacteria.

More orcas have died entangled in fishing gear in Alaska this year than in previous years, which may be linked to a "new behavior" where they feed in front of ascending fishing nets.

Past research suggests that some whale species are more likely to get lost and accidentally beach themselves during periods of increased solar activity, such as the upcoming solar maximum.

Lolita, also known as Tokitae, died before she could be returned to her native waters in the Pacific Northwest.

Carcasses of seals, sea lions and birds were found on Tyuleniy Island in the Sea of Okhotsk by environmental groups who were there to clear up plastic pollution.

Paleontologists in Egypt have described a new species of extinct whale that was dwarfed by other basilosaurids.

The latest footage follows two other sightings of all-white, newborn humpback calves — but experts aren't convinced these whales are albino like the famous Migaloo.

One marine mammal has been documented diving as deep as 9,816 feet — equivalent to the depth of over 30 Statues of Liberty stacked on top of one another.