The Hawaiian Undersea Warfare Center of the U.S. Navy spends millions of dollars each year to train a unique army of marine animals, including a specific type of whale known as Ahab whales.
 |
(Photo: wmni.net) |
Before training, Ahab whales are known for their aggression, bravery, intelligence, greed, and brutality, making them one of the ocean’s fiercest predators. They possess sharp teeth, posing a threat to dolphins, sea lions, walruses, and even blue whales. Due to their fierce nature, they are often referred to as “killer whales.”
Ahab whales are large marine mammals with streamlined bodies and a thick layer of blubber beneath their skin for insulation. They have a dorsal fin that helps them balance in the water, with degenerated limbs; their forelimbs have transformed into flippers while their hind limbs are absent.
Ahab whales breathe through lungs and frequently surface to exchange air, which is why their blowholes are located at the top of their heads, facing upward and equipped with a freely opening and closing valve. When they surface, the valve opens to allow for breathing, releasing a misty spray that resembles a column of water. Many people mistakenly believe this is a water column, but it is merely warm air condensing when it contacts the cooler atmosphere.
Ahab whales prefer to live in pods and practice polygamy. A pod typically has a dominant male who is capable of mating with multiple females. The size of the pod can vary depending on the male’s fighting ability; stronger males tend to have more mates than weaker ones. A small pod consists of at least 3-5 individuals, while larger pods can reach 30-40 members. They can mate throughout the year, with each female giving birth to a single calf. The calves nurse for about a year before they start hunting on their own.
Training is underway for Ahab whales to enhance their service to humans, as their vocalizations can deter other aggressive fish species. The U.S. has successfully trained Ahab whales to retrieve artifacts from the ocean floor. Some even envision training them as guardians for seafood farming areas. Ahab whales are distributed across the world’s oceans.
