Who Is Watching the Whale-watchers?
Whale-watching cruises can negatively affect the behavior of cetaceans, depending on species, environment, and population.
So You Plan to Teach Moby Dick
The study of Melville’s novel is enhanced by contextualizing it with primary and secondary sources related to the American sperm whaling industry.
The Tragicomedy of Johanna the Super Whale
How a beached cetacean triggered one whale of a controversy.
The Cultural Differences in Humpback Whale Songs
One group of researchers found distinct differences among songs from groups of humpback whales that are geographically isolated from each other.
The Diverse Whaling Crews of Melville’s Era
The ship from Moby Dick was a fairly accurate portrayal of the multi-racial character of American whaling crews before the Civil War.
Did North America’s Longest Painting Inspire Moby-Dick?
Herman Melville likely saw the panorama “Whaling Voyage,” which records the sinking of the whaler Essex, while staying in Boston in 1849.
The Myth of the St. Augustine Monster
The idea of the gigantic octopus has tantalized marine scientists for years, although its existence had never been conclusively proven.
How Killer Whales Kill
Orcas may look cute, but don’t be fooled. They display some of the most sophisticated hunting techniques of any animals on Earth.
Why Have Whales Come to New York City?
What brought whales to the city? It’s a tale of water quality, plankton, and an unassuming but vital fish called the menhaden.
The Enduring Mysteries of the Narwhal’s Tusk
Why don't we know what narwhals' tusks are for? New footage suggests they use the tusks to stun fish before eating then, but some mysteries remain.