Social Connections

The social organization of cetaceans ranges widely, from the highly complex societies found in many of the toothed whales to the solitary (lone) ways of baleen whales, of which the basic social unit is formed by mother and calf. Some species spend their entire lives in highly organized groups, where all individuals are related; developing hunting strategies that depend upon these long-term bonds. Touch seems to maintain order within social groups, and touching is an important part of courtship rituals in most species. 

Behaviour At the Surface 

Water surface behaviours, such as breaching, and the slapping of flukes or flippers, have been interpreted variously as warning signals, annoyance, or to shake parasites. Mutual assistance is additional evidence of their complex behaviour. It has been observed that group members will protect and assist injured or dying individuals.