Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Motherofkittens86 t1_j3yq2ki wrote

Reply to comment by VSBakes in Killer whale dies after grounding itself on Florida beach by katherinezetajones

It can happen for a lot of reasons. Some populations specialize in hunting in very shallow water or even running themselves into the beach, which means they can get stuck if they make a mistake. But most of the time it is a result of severe illness, which causes the animal to either lose the ability to navigate or they just lack the strength to swim against the current.

36

bnh1978 t1_j3zdzez wrote

Sonar pings will also send them fleeing into shallows, and can result in beaching.

10

JohnChimpo7 t1_j3zsen0 wrote

Isn’t there also a mammalian instinct to avoid drowning when sick/injured, even though it seems counterintuitive

7

HardlyDecent t1_j410cj8 wrote

Are you thinking of the mammalian diving response maybe? That's not an instinct, but a physiological response. Breath-holding and a drop in blood pressure and heart rate when immersed in water (or splashing cold water on your face!).

Not sure if cetaceans ever beach to avoid drowning though.

2

VSBakes t1_j40y2cm wrote

Someone once mentioned to me it has something to do with sonar, any truth to that?

1