Whale with mysterious spinal curvature baffles scientists
An unusual whale has been spotted off the coast of Spain, and the shape of its body has intrigued scientists. Initially, they thought it was trapped, but the situation turned out to be far more complex.
13 November 2024 18:38
In one of the videos recorded by a drone, a whale with a very unusual appearance was observed. It was diagnosed with a spinal curvature, an extremely rare condition among these marine mammals. This deformity makes it challenging for the animal to function well in its natural environment.
Occasionally, whales can be observed with broken spines due to collisions with ships. This time, a different case was noticed - a fin whale, also known as a finback whale, with an exceptionally twisted spine. However, the causes of this phenomenon remain unknown.
The whale with a crooked spine
This enormous mammal, weighing approximately 40 metric tonnes and measuring about 16 metres, was spotted in early March 2023 near Cullera in Valencia, Spain. The captain of a nearby ship reported the unusual sight, mentioning that the large mammal might have become entangled in fishing nets. Veterinarians and marine biology specialists quickly arrived at the scene.
Upon arrival, it was discovered that the whale was not entangled in a net. However, its way of moving was concerning. Scientists determined that this individual’s condition is more complex than merely the result of being trapped. It turned out that the whale suffers from a spinal curvature of unknown origin.
Research indicates that the whale's altered posture leads to a different arrangement of internal organs compared to a healthy individual. Unlike humans, whales do not develop scoliosis as part of their growth. Often, spinal problems in these mammals result from collisions with vessels, but this time, the situation is less clear, making this case unique.
After a few hours of observation and research, the whale returned to the ocean, continuing its journey. Due to its deformity and size, scientists could not attach a tracking device to it. Nonetheless, they are convinced that, owing to its swimming difficulties, the whale will return to the vicinity of Cullera in the future.
