Why Do We Name Whales?
- Elding's research team
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Why do we name animals?
For many years, scientists have been giving animals names. Even though these names can sometimes be silly, like Fluke Skywalker or Mark Whaleberg, naming an animal is a powerful tool for science and conservation.
For Science
Thanks to photo-identification, we can differentiate individuals from one another by recognising the unique patterns on their dorsal fins and flukes. Each has a distinct shape, colour, or markings such as nicks and notches, which allows us to tell them apart. Recognising these individuals helps us understand their life history, track how often they return and when, study their lifespan, and monitor the size of their population. This information is essential for research and, ultimately, for developing effective conservation strategies.
Scientists typically assign a code name to each identified whale (e.g., HW-MN0102207 on HappyWhale). However, naming them with more memorable, fun names is very practical in the field, especially when the name reflects their appearance.For example, names like Neila or Wifi can make it easier to remember specific whales.
For Conservation
Naming animals is also a strategy for conservation. It transforms an anonymous whale into a relatable being. This is a form of anthropomorphism, attributing human-like qualities to non-human individuals. Our brains naturally connect with other beings by projecting our own experiences onto them, which fosters an emotional connection. The act of naming animals makes them more relatable, helping us realise that, like us, they are all unique.
This emotional connection makes it easier to communicate about animals and raise awareness. For instance, it was deeply moving when Mariupol, a humpback whale spotted in Iceland since 2021, returned one summer with a new injury to her fluke, likely caused by a fishing net. It felt like seeing a friend come back from a holiday, injured and scared.
Empathy towards wildlife can lead to more concern, effort, and support for effective conservation policies.
Too often, animals are treated as mere "units", cynically referred to as "stocks," as if they were just resources to be managed. But animals share something fascinating with humans: they have subjective experiences and personalities. This is clear to pet owners with their dogs and cats, but research shows that even smaller animals, like ants, exhibit unique behaviours. This individuality influences survival at an evolutionary scale, helping populations thrive. For example, bold, curious individuals may find new resources, while cautious, shy individuals may survive unexpected dangers. This variability is found in many species.
We have known for years that cetaceans are intelligent and sensitive. You can read some of our previous posts about the cultural hunting strategies of orcas, the heartbreaking attachment of a mother white-beaked dolphin to her dead calf, or the social structure of humpback whales, which can form long-term friendships with other whales.
The personalities of cetaceans are a well-documented variable in many studies, where models take into account the differences between individuals. For example, some whales are "trap-happy" and easier to photograph, while others are more "trap-shy."
Wild animals sometimes become famous, either because of their physical traits, like the fully white humpback whale Migaloo, often sighted off the east coast of Australia, or due to their extraordinary behaviours.
One famous example is Pelorus Jack, a Risso’s dolphin that guided ships through a dangerous New Zealand channel for 24 years, becoming one of the first wild animals to be protected by law.
In Reykjavík we also see flamboyant personalities, humpbacks whales, minke whales and white-beaked dolphins that we recognise and that we get very excited to see.
We will be sharing stories of some of our most iconic individuals in upcoming posts!
Miquel Pons
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