Fin Shape and Placement Aid Rapid Acceleration in Sei Whales

The powerful tail flukes of a sei whale generate thrust strong enough to propel a 20-meter body at remarkable speed.

Top Ad Slot
🤯 Did You Know (click to read)

Whale flukes move up and down rather than side to side, unlike fish tails.

Balaenoptera borealis relies on large, horizontally oriented flukes to produce lift-based propulsion, enabling both long-distance cruising and sudden bursts of acceleration.

Mid-Content Ad Slot
💥 Impact (click to read)

Efficient propulsion is essential for migration, predator avoidance, and high-speed feeding maneuvers in open-water environments.

Biomechanical studies of whale locomotion inform naval engineering and the design of energy-efficient underwater vehicles.

Source

Smithsonian Ocean Portal

LinkedIn Reddit

⚡ Ready for another mind-blower?

‹ Previous Next ›

💬 Comments