You guys, have you ever thought about what a humpback whale’s placenta looks like? Honestly, I never gave it a second thought until today. Some fortunate guests on a whale-watching tour with Blue Bay Whale Watching in Australia got a firsthand look at one. Can you imagine scanning the ocean for dorsal fins and then suddenly spotting a gigantic placenta?
The captain and the guests snapped countless photos because, let’s face it, WHALE PLACENTA. John Natoli from Blue Bay Whale Watching shared on Facebook that this sighting is so rare that their captain, Mark—also known as Roundy—has never seen it in his 20 years at sea, and John himself has been whale watching for 15 years without witnessing anything like it.
Some people might find it a bit gross, which is understandable. Birth can be a messy affair, and the aftermath isn’t something everyone wants to ponder. But honestly, I find it absolutely fascinating! These humpback whale moms are out there in the vast ocean giving birth all on their own. There’s no whale partner holding their fin and offering encouragement, nor a dolphin doula to help soothe them through the process. They’re entirely solo, bringing new life into the world like it’s no big deal. And once it’s done, they release this THREE-FOOT-WIDE placenta that just floats to the surface like a gigantic, bloody announcement: “Hey World, I just birthed a thousand-pound baby! What did you accomplish today?”
Whale mothers definitely deserve a well-earned spa day.
To be honest, I never looked at any of my three placentas. I had c-sections, and before even entering the operating room, I signed forms to donate the placentas for scientific research. I have no clue what “science” intended to do with them, but I knew I wouldn’t be using them myself. I’m not the type to create tree prints or encapsulate my placenta. If you’re that earthy mom, more power to you, but it’s just not my thing. I was content to let others use them for… something scientific, I guess.
Yet, this whale placenta sighting is making me reconsider! It’s so intriguing! I never thought about the massive placenta involved when a marine mammal gives birth. Sure, I knew it existed, but I assumed sharks would devour it right away or it would sink. Maybe that’s what usually happens to them; I’m no expert. But I never imagined I could sign up for a whale-watching cruise and possibly spot a whale placenta just floating by.
Now, I can add “see a whale placenta in person” to my bucket list of unusual animal encounters, right alongside “witness a moose crossing the road, like my cousin did in 2010,” and “spend a morning cuddling with adorable baby ducks.” Although, judging by how excited marine biologists get when one of these things surfaces, I might have better luck spotting the moose than the placenta.
I think I’m so fascinated by this whale placenta because I have a soft spot for whale moms. A few years back, you may recall the story of Tahlequah, the orca also known as J35, who carried her deceased calf around the waters of British Columbia for over two weeks while she mourned. I had just experienced a heartbreaking missed miscarriage. I carried my baby for three weeks, waiting for my body to naturally miscarry, but that didn’t happen. I had to undergo a procedure to let go of the pregnancy. When I saw that whale mother cradling her baby in the water just to have a little more time together, I felt a connection to her. I understood that instinct to hold on even when hope is lost. Maybe all mothers, regardless of species, share a few common bonds.
Tahlequah and I both welcomed living babies in 2020. I won’t lie; I shed some happy tears when I learned her baby had survived. If you’re not familiar with her story, you should definitely check it out. J35 has experienced so much—she’s had living babies, faced miscarriage, grieved a newborn, and even cared for her sister’s calves after her sister passed away. She’s truly remarkable.
Now, alongside my admiration for orca moms, I have a newfound respect for resilient humpback mothers. The sheer size of a whale placenta highlights the enormity of their babies. Considering that a humpback calf can measure 10-15 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds, it’s honestly impressive that the placenta doesn’t need to be even bigger. That’s one colossal baby.
Go on, whale moms! If I could, I’d give you a huge high five right on your badass fin!
For more intriguing insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on what to expect with your first IUI. And if you’re interested in more fascinating animal stories, don’t forget to explore our other blog posts.