There are around 2,000 strandings each year worldwide, with most resulting in the death of the animal. Whales are the largest marine mammals in the world — the smallest species weigh in at several tons. In fact the blue whale (the largest animal in existence) can weigh in excess of 150 tons and grow to be over 100 ft. … More than 145 whales die together on a remote island's beach after two pods strand themselves – but no one knows why . More Than 140 Whales Die in New Zealand After Mass Beaching. Most whales die at sea, and their bodies are never seen by people. Call Brisbane Whale Watching today, if you or your class want to see whales … Why Do Whales Beach Themselves? 5) Attacks from sharks or other marine mammals: Whales may beach themselves in an attempt to escape or find cover from shark attacks or attacks from other marine mammals such as the killer whale. Why do whales beach themselves? There are many theories about why whales and dolphins sometimes swim into shallow water and end up stranding themselves on beaches in various parts of the world. ... Four whales had died on the beach as of Monday. Why whales beach themselves when death is a possibility has some explanations, but none are universally agreed upon. At first blush, the explanation laid out Wednesday by 21 experts in the Royal Society journal Proceedings B seems implausible. In these cases, they strand because they are pushed inshore by currents as they ail and die. ... As the prey struggles to escape, the orca launches itself, or rides a wave, onto the beach … Actually there are several reasons as to why whales are unable to live on land. On Sunday morning, scientists and volunteers struggled to get some of the 55 false killer whales that washed up on a beach near Cape Town, South Africa, back into the frigid water. Why do whales beach themselves? ... That's why he isn't all that worried about the whale that washed up on the beach at Trout River, in Newfoundland. Learn about this and more—and about how to help protect these beautiful mammals. Some scientists have theorized that a single whale or dolphin may strand itself due to illness or injury, swimming in close to shore to take refuge in shallow water and getting trapped by the changing tide. First, most species of whale have very large bodies that weigh thousands of pounds. While whale beachings are still not fully understood, there is research that helps us understand some of the causes. That’s a great question. BY Matt Soniak. Why Do Whales Beach Themselves? Why do whales beach themselves? When these mass strandings occur, we wonder why. More than 145 whales die together on a remote island's beach after two pods strand themselves – but no one knows why. The mystery behind why beaked whales are 'suicidal' may have finally been solved. A young humpback whale is clinging to life on an East Hampton beach. Why do dead whales explode? Most whales die at sea, and their bodies are never seen by people. ... More than 300 whales beached themselves near Mason Bay in 1998. Alternatively, they head for shore because they are simply too sick to swim. Sonar commonly used by America and NATO has been revealed to cause decompression sickness, also … Individual whales may beach themselves for a host of reasons. Whales are the largest marine mammals in the world — the smallest species weigh in at several tons. By: Kyle Grammatica. About 145 pilot whales stranded themselves on a remote New Zealand beach Scientists have long known that some beaked whales beach themselves and die in agony after exposure to naval sonar, and now they know why: the giant sea …