1 00:00:01,836 --> 00:00:04,136 Narrator: Is this fur seal using an octopus as a weapon? 2 00:00:04,138 --> 00:00:06,538 Whoa. [ chuckles ] 3 00:00:06,540 --> 00:00:08,206 Octopus to the face. 4 00:00:08,208 --> 00:00:09,808 It's like a battle of the beasts. 5 00:00:09,810 --> 00:00:12,077 It's seal versus octopus... 6 00:00:12,079 --> 00:00:14,513 Ah! ...Versus kayaker. 7 00:00:14,515 --> 00:00:17,516 Narrator: Is something sinister happening in the insect world? 8 00:00:17,518 --> 00:00:21,020 Is the moth drinking the bird's blood? 9 00:00:21,022 --> 00:00:23,155 Narrator: And why is this unusual creature 10 00:00:23,157 --> 00:00:24,590 Leaping out of the irish sea? 11 00:00:24,592 --> 00:00:27,726 Oh, okay. That is the first time I've ever seen that. 12 00:00:27,728 --> 00:00:29,728 ♪ 13 00:00:29,730 --> 00:00:32,531 Narrator: Nature is awe-inspiring, 14 00:00:32,533 --> 00:00:35,034 But sometimes it just doesn't make sense. 15 00:00:35,036 --> 00:00:37,336 Man: I have never seen anything like this. 16 00:00:37,338 --> 00:00:41,006 Our team of experts investigates the weirdest animal behavior... 17 00:00:41,008 --> 00:00:42,241 That's amazing. 18 00:00:42,243 --> 00:00:43,876 ...And the most unexpected events... 19 00:00:43,878 --> 00:00:45,644 What is causing that? 20 00:00:45,646 --> 00:00:46,979 ...Ever caught on camera. 21 00:00:46,981 --> 00:00:48,247 My god! 22 00:00:48,249 --> 00:00:49,515 These are... 23 00:00:49,517 --> 00:00:51,917 -- Captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com 24 00:00:51,919 --> 00:00:54,319 Captions paid for by discovery communications 25 00:00:54,321 --> 00:00:58,924 September 22, 2018, kaikoura, new zealand. 26 00:00:58,926 --> 00:01:02,795 Kayakers are enjoying the calm waters of the pacific 27 00:01:02,797 --> 00:01:06,098 When suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, 28 00:01:06,100 --> 00:01:10,035 A fur seal slaps one of them in the face with an octopus. 29 00:01:10,037 --> 00:01:12,471 Oh, smack. 30 00:01:12,473 --> 00:01:15,074 Octopus to the face. 31 00:01:15,076 --> 00:01:16,108 Oh! 32 00:01:16,110 --> 00:01:19,244 [ chuckling ] whoa. That's crazy. 33 00:01:19,246 --> 00:01:21,814 It's an incredible bit of footage. 34 00:01:21,816 --> 00:01:24,316 I've never seen anything like it. 35 00:01:24,318 --> 00:01:25,350 Whoa! 36 00:01:25,352 --> 00:01:28,053 What on earth is going on? 37 00:01:28,055 --> 00:01:31,223 Narrator: To find out what prompted this bizarre incident, 38 00:01:31,225 --> 00:01:34,460 We need to know more about this playful prankster. 39 00:01:34,462 --> 00:01:36,962 ♪ 40 00:01:36,964 --> 00:01:41,100 The new zealand fur seal, like the 33 other seal species, 41 00:01:41,102 --> 00:01:43,135 Is a very agile swimmer. 42 00:01:43,137 --> 00:01:47,139 ♪ 43 00:01:47,141 --> 00:01:50,609 It's also a social and highly intelligent creature, 44 00:01:50,611 --> 00:01:52,277 Which begs the question... 45 00:01:52,279 --> 00:01:54,480 Why did this seal throw an octopus 46 00:01:54,482 --> 00:01:56,181 At this unsuspecting kayaker? 47 00:01:56,183 --> 00:01:58,684 ♪ 48 00:01:58,686 --> 00:02:00,886 Aryee: You could say that this fur seal is playing. 49 00:02:00,888 --> 00:02:03,622 It wouldn't be far-fetched to suggest that at all, 50 00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:06,725 And play, to me, is synonymous with intelligence. 51 00:02:06,727 --> 00:02:11,530 ♪ 52 00:02:11,532 --> 00:02:12,865 Nosal: Dolphins have also been observed 53 00:02:12,867 --> 00:02:14,366 Throwing fish up into the air, 54 00:02:14,368 --> 00:02:17,903 Which seems like they're playing a game of catch. 55 00:02:17,905 --> 00:02:21,773 Narrator: Just like us, dolphins use play to hone their skills 56 00:02:21,775 --> 00:02:24,510 And create bonds with members of their group. 57 00:02:24,512 --> 00:02:26,545 ♪ 58 00:02:26,547 --> 00:02:29,515 Aryee: Dolphins are highly intelligent. 59 00:02:29,517 --> 00:02:34,286 They have complex social interactions, and they do play. 60 00:02:34,288 --> 00:02:37,623 Play is a method of learning, 61 00:02:37,625 --> 00:02:40,459 Passing on information from one dolphin to another. 62 00:02:40,461 --> 00:02:43,729 ♪ 63 00:02:43,731 --> 00:02:45,664 Narrator: And seals are often seen 64 00:02:45,666 --> 00:02:47,432 Exhibiting the same behavior. 65 00:02:47,434 --> 00:02:50,202 Baker: So it is possible that what you're seeing 66 00:02:50,204 --> 00:02:53,805 Is an animal playing with its food. 67 00:02:53,807 --> 00:02:57,409 Narrator: But would a fur seal make a toy out of an octopus? 68 00:02:57,411 --> 00:03:00,212 It seems unlikely because this sort of playing behavior 69 00:03:00,214 --> 00:03:02,614 Has never been documented before. 70 00:03:02,616 --> 00:03:03,949 Seals have to hunt. 71 00:03:03,951 --> 00:03:05,284 That takes a lot of energy, 72 00:03:05,286 --> 00:03:07,619 And most likely, they're hunting for a reason. 73 00:03:07,621 --> 00:03:10,689 They have a plan to consume their prey. 74 00:03:10,691 --> 00:03:13,325 Narrator: It turns out mollusks, like octopus, 75 00:03:13,327 --> 00:03:15,427 Are a preferred prey of fur seals 76 00:03:15,429 --> 00:03:18,263 And account for around a third of their diet, 77 00:03:18,265 --> 00:03:21,233 But they do make for a pretty difficult snack. 78 00:03:21,235 --> 00:03:22,434 They are sticky things. 79 00:03:22,436 --> 00:03:25,337 You know, they will grasp and flail around, 80 00:03:25,339 --> 00:03:28,273 And they can irritate. 81 00:03:28,275 --> 00:03:29,775 Galante: Could it be that in this case, 82 00:03:29,777 --> 00:03:32,377 The seal is making this octopus an example, 83 00:03:32,379 --> 00:03:35,113 Using it as a teaching moment for its offspring. 84 00:03:35,115 --> 00:03:38,750 ♪ 85 00:03:38,752 --> 00:03:40,986 Baker: If you're a predator, it's quite a common thing 86 00:03:40,988 --> 00:03:43,689 To show younger animals the techniques 87 00:03:43,691 --> 00:03:47,492 Required to dispatch a tricky meal. 88 00:03:47,494 --> 00:03:49,928 Narrator: Another mammal who does just this 89 00:03:49,930 --> 00:03:52,097 Is the mighty meerkat. 90 00:03:52,099 --> 00:03:54,800 Unafraid of even the most perilous prey, 91 00:03:54,802 --> 00:03:58,937 They'll teach their young using a step-by-step process. 92 00:03:58,939 --> 00:04:00,906 Galante: Baby meerkats will get presented 93 00:04:00,908 --> 00:04:03,642 By their parents with a dead scorpion. 94 00:04:03,644 --> 00:04:05,277 As they become a little bit older, 95 00:04:05,279 --> 00:04:06,645 The parents will bring them 96 00:04:06,647 --> 00:04:09,881 An injured scorpion with no stinger, 97 00:04:09,883 --> 00:04:11,783 And then as they get older still, 98 00:04:11,785 --> 00:04:12,851 The parents will bring them 99 00:04:12,853 --> 00:04:16,154 An injured scorpion with its stinger. 100 00:04:16,156 --> 00:04:19,091 So finally, by the time the meerkats reach adulthood, 101 00:04:19,093 --> 00:04:20,325 They're ready to take on 102 00:04:20,327 --> 00:04:24,963 Their very own wild, fully formed scorpions. 103 00:04:24,965 --> 00:04:29,134 Narrator: So could the fur seal also be using nature's classroom 104 00:04:29,136 --> 00:04:31,336 To give its young hunting lessons? 105 00:04:31,338 --> 00:04:33,472 That doesn't seem likely. It's not teaching itself. 106 00:04:33,474 --> 00:04:35,073 It's not teaching another seal. 107 00:04:35,075 --> 00:04:36,475 It's not learning from another seal 108 00:04:36,477 --> 00:04:39,077 Because there's just one seal -- one seal, one octopus. 109 00:04:39,079 --> 00:04:40,946 There's an octopus on my boat. 110 00:04:40,948 --> 00:04:46,752 So I think that there's something else going on here. 111 00:04:46,754 --> 00:04:49,154 Narrator: All the evidence suggests the first seal 112 00:04:49,156 --> 00:04:54,192 Is using the kayaker as a tool to help it consume the octopus, 113 00:04:54,194 --> 00:04:57,362 But it's not an easy task. 114 00:04:57,364 --> 00:04:59,531 The first trick is finding them. 115 00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:03,235 Octopus have extraordinary camouflage abilities, 116 00:05:03,237 --> 00:05:06,938 And they can hide in the smallest of spaces. 117 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:09,508 Even after finding and catching them, 118 00:05:09,510 --> 00:05:11,910 There's still more work to do. 119 00:05:11,912 --> 00:05:16,315 What you see this seal doing is actually tenderizing his meal. 120 00:05:16,317 --> 00:05:19,151 An octopus is basically a giant muscle, 121 00:05:19,153 --> 00:05:20,719 And it's tough as can be. 122 00:05:20,721 --> 00:05:23,455 So in order to easily consume such a thing, 123 00:05:23,457 --> 00:05:25,724 It has to get softer. 124 00:05:25,726 --> 00:05:28,193 Narrator: However, it's not just the texture 125 00:05:28,195 --> 00:05:30,095 Of the octopus that's the problem. 126 00:05:30,097 --> 00:05:32,130 It's worth bearing in mind that octopus, 127 00:05:32,132 --> 00:05:34,566 They are quite a dangerous meal. 128 00:05:34,568 --> 00:05:35,767 After all, this is a big mollusk. 129 00:05:35,769 --> 00:05:40,038 Mollusks are famously difficult to kill. 130 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:41,373 Galante: If you're eating an octopus, 131 00:05:41,375 --> 00:05:43,275 You have to be very careful. 132 00:05:43,277 --> 00:05:45,077 Narrator: That's because their limbs 133 00:05:45,079 --> 00:05:47,979 Can make for a risky encounter. 134 00:05:47,981 --> 00:05:50,315 Galante: They have eight arms covered in suction cups 135 00:05:50,317 --> 00:05:52,918 That can suffocate or asphyxiate you. 136 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,921 Narrator: Worse still, each arm has its own brain, 137 00:05:55,923 --> 00:05:58,557 Which means each arm can continue to fight back 138 00:05:58,559 --> 00:06:02,794 For up to an hour after being torn from the body. 139 00:06:02,796 --> 00:06:05,297 Even when an octopus' arm is severed, 140 00:06:05,299 --> 00:06:09,201 It can continue to move autonomously. 141 00:06:09,203 --> 00:06:12,137 Nosal: Those suckers can actually latch on 142 00:06:12,139 --> 00:06:13,972 To the inside of the digestive system 143 00:06:13,974 --> 00:06:15,774 As the seal is trying to swallow it, 144 00:06:15,776 --> 00:06:18,477 And remember that seals are like us. 145 00:06:18,479 --> 00:06:20,312 They're breathing air through their esophagus, 146 00:06:20,314 --> 00:06:21,780 Through their nose, 147 00:06:21,782 --> 00:06:25,250 And if that airway is clogged, they could actually suffocate. 148 00:06:25,252 --> 00:06:30,422 This octopus can potentially kill this seal. 149 00:06:30,424 --> 00:06:32,991 Narrator: So the seal has to be certain 150 00:06:32,993 --> 00:06:36,228 Every part of the octopus is toast before eating it. 151 00:06:36,230 --> 00:06:38,630 This is really important if your potential prey 152 00:06:38,632 --> 00:06:40,866 Has a really good defense mechanism. 153 00:06:40,868 --> 00:06:42,768 Narrator: And prior to the face slap, 154 00:06:42,770 --> 00:06:47,973 The seal had been spotted wrestling with the octopus. 155 00:06:47,975 --> 00:06:50,809 We could see a seal continually bashing 156 00:06:50,811 --> 00:06:54,146 And slapping this octopus on the surface of the water. 157 00:06:54,148 --> 00:06:56,848 Narrator: But it'll take more than a few splashes to dispatch 158 00:06:56,850 --> 00:06:58,784 This sticky customer. 159 00:06:58,786 --> 00:07:01,153 So often with tricky prey items, 160 00:07:01,155 --> 00:07:03,555 Watch a heron with an eel, for example, 161 00:07:03,557 --> 00:07:06,458 Or a kingfisher with a particularly lively minnow, 162 00:07:06,460 --> 00:07:10,662 You have to beat that thing against a hard object. 163 00:07:10,664 --> 00:07:12,731 Nosal: So these animals, they know what they're doing. 164 00:07:12,733 --> 00:07:16,435 They have realized that you need to chuck around your food, 165 00:07:16,437 --> 00:07:18,470 Make sure it's safe to eat. 166 00:07:18,472 --> 00:07:20,539 Narrator: And in the case of our fur seal... 167 00:07:20,541 --> 00:07:22,607 [ camera shutter clicking ] 168 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,777 ...It was looking for the means of maximum impact. 169 00:07:25,779 --> 00:07:27,612 If a rock was nearby, it might have slammed it 170 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:29,047 Against the rock, but it wasn't. 171 00:07:29,049 --> 00:07:30,582 The kayaker was nearby. 172 00:07:30,584 --> 00:07:31,650 The seal got him. 173 00:07:31,652 --> 00:07:33,685 That kayak is a harder surface, 174 00:07:33,687 --> 00:07:36,121 So it went to hit that octopus on there. 175 00:07:36,123 --> 00:07:38,790 Narrator: But instead, it ended up tossing the octopus 176 00:07:38,792 --> 00:07:41,593 Straight into the kayaker's kisser. 177 00:07:41,595 --> 00:07:44,496 I don't think it was intentionally trying to slap 178 00:07:44,498 --> 00:07:46,598 That man in the face with an octopus. 179 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,967 Narrator: It was simply doing whatever was necessary 180 00:07:48,969 --> 00:07:51,203 To make the octopus lunch. 181 00:07:51,205 --> 00:07:56,641 ♪ 182 00:07:56,643 --> 00:08:01,112 November 2017, codajas, brazil. 183 00:08:01,114 --> 00:08:04,549 Footage shot in the amazon rainforest shows a bird 184 00:08:04,551 --> 00:08:08,053 And a moth engaged in a bizarre activity. 185 00:08:08,055 --> 00:08:12,290 A moth hovers purposefully behind the head of an antbird, 186 00:08:12,292 --> 00:08:15,927 Pecking at its eye, but what is it doing? 187 00:08:15,929 --> 00:08:17,629 It seems a bit of a strange one. 188 00:08:17,631 --> 00:08:19,498 So what on earth is going on? 189 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:21,700 ♪ 190 00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:31,343 ♪ 191 00:08:31,345 --> 00:08:33,578 Narrator: In the amazon rainforest, 192 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:35,747 A moth and an antbird are recorded 193 00:08:35,749 --> 00:08:39,384 Engaging in a mysterious interspecies activity. 194 00:08:39,386 --> 00:08:42,220 The sight of a moth on the back of an antbird 195 00:08:42,222 --> 00:08:44,289 Pecking at the eyeball of the bird 196 00:08:44,291 --> 00:08:45,757 Seems a bit of a strange one. 197 00:08:45,759 --> 00:08:47,492 So what on earth is going on? 198 00:08:47,494 --> 00:08:51,062 ♪ 199 00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:53,465 Greive: Are we witnessing an example of mutualism 200 00:08:53,467 --> 00:08:57,302 Where two species provide services to help the other? 201 00:08:57,304 --> 00:08:59,804 Narrator: Mutualism is a phenomenon found 202 00:08:59,806 --> 00:09:02,507 All over the animal kingdom 203 00:09:02,509 --> 00:09:07,479 From little fish that clean the parasites off big fish 204 00:09:07,481 --> 00:09:12,017 To birds cleaning the parasites off water buffalo. 205 00:09:12,019 --> 00:09:13,685 Daly: So one theory is that the moths 206 00:09:13,687 --> 00:09:15,887 Could actually be cleaning the ticks off the bird. 207 00:09:15,889 --> 00:09:17,956 ♪ 208 00:09:17,958 --> 00:09:19,858 Narrator: Antbirds get their name from the fact 209 00:09:19,860 --> 00:09:22,393 That they scavenge from army ants. 210 00:09:22,395 --> 00:09:24,129 Other birds, like this crow, 211 00:09:24,131 --> 00:09:27,198 Will enlist ants for an entirely different purpose. 212 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,735 Birds undertake a unusual behavior called anting 213 00:09:30,737 --> 00:09:33,738 Where they actually lie on top of an ant nest 214 00:09:33,740 --> 00:09:36,641 And/or run their wing feathers over it 215 00:09:36,643 --> 00:09:39,277 In order to attract attention from the ants, 216 00:09:39,279 --> 00:09:42,380 Sometimes even getting bitten. 217 00:09:42,382 --> 00:09:45,750 Narrator: Formic acid that the ants spray in defense 218 00:09:45,752 --> 00:09:50,155 Acts as an antiparasite spray on the birds' feathers. 219 00:09:50,157 --> 00:09:53,024 The net result is ant secretions force 220 00:09:53,026 --> 00:09:56,595 Other parasites to leave the birds' feathers. 221 00:09:56,597 --> 00:09:59,030 Narrator: Could the antbird also be enlisting 222 00:09:59,032 --> 00:10:02,033 This species of moth, gorgone macarea, 223 00:10:02,035 --> 00:10:04,135 To help rid it of parasites? 224 00:10:04,137 --> 00:10:06,705 In this case, it's very unlikely as the moths 225 00:10:06,707 --> 00:10:09,908 Don't secrete any insect repellent. 226 00:10:09,910 --> 00:10:11,710 Narrator: With no shared benefit, 227 00:10:11,712 --> 00:10:13,345 Mutualism is ruled out. 228 00:10:13,347 --> 00:10:17,882 So could something more sinister be going on? 229 00:10:17,884 --> 00:10:20,885 There's also a somewhat more macabre theory -- 230 00:10:20,887 --> 00:10:24,522 Is the moth drinking the bird's blood? 231 00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:26,524 Not an absurd theory. 232 00:10:26,526 --> 00:10:30,395 A number of animals are known to drink blood -- 233 00:10:30,397 --> 00:10:32,497 Ticks, mites, mosquitoes, 234 00:10:32,499 --> 00:10:36,201 Even a species of bird in the galapagos. 235 00:10:36,203 --> 00:10:40,572 Narrator: The vampire finch sucks the blood of other birds. 236 00:10:40,574 --> 00:10:42,140 It has to tread fine line 237 00:10:42,142 --> 00:10:44,909 Between breaking the skin of its host to make it bleed 238 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:48,613 And not causing so much pain that it flies away. 239 00:10:48,615 --> 00:10:50,949 Of course, mosquitoes, much like the one 240 00:10:50,951 --> 00:10:53,551 Already feasting on the antbird in this clip, 241 00:10:53,553 --> 00:10:56,187 Are the most famous bloodsucking insects, 242 00:10:56,189 --> 00:10:58,757 And there is a very aptly named moth species 243 00:10:58,759 --> 00:11:02,027 Who is also on a crimson crusade. 244 00:11:02,029 --> 00:11:03,995 There are vampire moths. 245 00:11:03,997 --> 00:11:05,463 There are sanguivorous moths 246 00:11:05,465 --> 00:11:08,233 That will penetrate their prey with its sharp proboscis 247 00:11:08,235 --> 00:11:10,301 And suck on its blood for up to an hour. 248 00:11:10,303 --> 00:11:12,771 ♪ 249 00:11:12,773 --> 00:11:14,272 Narrator: But our moth is drinking 250 00:11:14,274 --> 00:11:17,842 From the eye of the bird, not from the skin. 251 00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:19,611 Daly: In this case, the moth looks like 252 00:11:19,613 --> 00:11:22,747 It's drinking clear liquid and not blood. 253 00:11:22,749 --> 00:11:25,717 So what's going on? 254 00:11:25,719 --> 00:11:28,286 Narrator: It turns out that the moth is drinking 255 00:11:28,288 --> 00:11:32,457 The bird's tears, and for a very special reason. 256 00:11:32,459 --> 00:11:37,796 What the moth really wants is salt, specifically sodium. 257 00:11:37,798 --> 00:11:42,067 Now, sodium is essential to all living things. 258 00:11:42,069 --> 00:11:46,404 Without it, we have no muscular or nervous performance, 259 00:11:46,406 --> 00:11:50,842 And moths specifically need it to reproduce. 260 00:11:50,844 --> 00:11:53,411 And when there is insufficient sodium in their environment, 261 00:11:53,413 --> 00:11:57,382 They have to get it from other sources. 262 00:11:57,384 --> 00:12:00,085 Narrator: Moths and butterflies can find sodium 263 00:12:00,087 --> 00:12:01,453 By mud puddling, 264 00:12:01,455 --> 00:12:04,756 Where the insects will alight on wet soil 265 00:12:04,758 --> 00:12:07,726 Or dung to suck up the salts they need. 266 00:12:07,728 --> 00:12:09,861 ♪ 267 00:12:09,863 --> 00:12:11,996 Yet the tears of other animals 268 00:12:11,998 --> 00:12:14,165 Are often more readily available. 269 00:12:14,167 --> 00:12:17,736 It's not just moths that siphon the tears from other animals. 270 00:12:17,738 --> 00:12:20,972 Bees have been known to drink crocodile tears, 271 00:12:20,974 --> 00:12:22,974 And butterflies actually have been known 272 00:12:22,976 --> 00:12:25,176 To drink the tears of turtles. 273 00:12:25,178 --> 00:12:28,847 ♪ 274 00:12:28,849 --> 00:12:30,415 Narrator: Bringing us the answer 275 00:12:30,417 --> 00:12:33,218 To the mystery of the bird-sucking moth. 276 00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:35,153 Daly: That's what you're seeing here. 277 00:12:35,155 --> 00:12:38,423 The moths are actually drinking the tears of the bird, 278 00:12:38,425 --> 00:12:39,858 Which contain that sodium 279 00:12:39,860 --> 00:12:43,094 And contain the nutrients that they need for reproduction. 280 00:12:43,096 --> 00:12:46,798 Narrator: As peculiar as this seems, it turns out tears 281 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,834 Are the salty snack of the animal kingdom. 282 00:12:49,836 --> 00:12:57,909 ♪ 283 00:12:57,911 --> 00:13:03,648 September 22, 2015, malin head, donegal, ireland. 284 00:13:03,650 --> 00:13:07,051 A normally sedate but massive creature crashes 285 00:13:07,053 --> 00:13:10,221 Through the surface of the atlantic ocean. 286 00:13:10,223 --> 00:13:11,422 Okay. 287 00:13:11,424 --> 00:13:14,092 That is the first time I've ever seen that. 288 00:13:14,094 --> 00:13:16,494 This footage is incredibly dramatic. 289 00:13:16,496 --> 00:13:20,532 This is a very big animal that's leaping clean out of the water. 290 00:13:20,534 --> 00:13:22,467 Nelson: They almost look like humpback whales coming out, 291 00:13:22,469 --> 00:13:25,236 Breaching out of the water and falling back. 292 00:13:25,238 --> 00:13:28,573 Narrator: But this is no whale. 293 00:13:28,575 --> 00:13:30,708 That's a huge shark. 294 00:13:30,710 --> 00:13:32,243 Narrator: And not the kind of shark 295 00:13:32,245 --> 00:13:34,746 You'd expect to leap out of the water. 296 00:13:34,748 --> 00:13:36,514 Burke: What gets really interesting about it 297 00:13:36,516 --> 00:13:40,151 Is when you identify what species of shark this is. 298 00:13:40,153 --> 00:13:43,087 Nelson: It kind of makes sense for a great white, 299 00:13:43,089 --> 00:13:45,824 But for a basking shark, it makes no sense. 300 00:13:45,826 --> 00:13:47,725 ♪ 301 00:13:54,601 --> 00:13:57,502 ♪ 302 00:13:57,504 --> 00:14:02,073 Narrator: September 22, 2015, malin head, ireland. 303 00:14:02,075 --> 00:14:04,108 Basking sharks are seen repeatedly 304 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:05,977 Leaping out of the water, 305 00:14:05,979 --> 00:14:10,481 A totally unexpected behavior from a usually docile creature. 306 00:14:10,483 --> 00:14:13,084 Nelson: For any animal that's 6,000 pounds 307 00:14:13,086 --> 00:14:18,489 To propel themselves out of the water seems unusual. 308 00:14:18,491 --> 00:14:20,658 Narrator: To get to the bottom of this mystery, 309 00:14:20,660 --> 00:14:24,262 We need to know more about this fishy colossus. 310 00:14:24,264 --> 00:14:26,564 ♪ 311 00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:29,968 Basking sharks inhabit many of the world's oceans. 312 00:14:29,970 --> 00:14:33,471 ♪ 313 00:14:33,473 --> 00:14:37,075 The basking shark is the second biggest fish on the planet 314 00:14:37,077 --> 00:14:38,877 Just after the whale shark, 315 00:14:38,879 --> 00:14:41,512 And it's one of the gentle giants of the ocean. 316 00:14:41,514 --> 00:14:46,351 ♪ 317 00:14:46,353 --> 00:14:49,354 26 feet long is not uncommon for a basking shark. 318 00:14:49,356 --> 00:14:52,390 That's big, but they're slow-moving, generally. 319 00:14:52,392 --> 00:14:53,791 Burke: They usually just cruise around 320 00:14:53,793 --> 00:14:56,327 At a gentle sort of two miles per hour. 321 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:59,364 Narrator: And it's that gentle nature that makes breaching, 322 00:14:59,366 --> 00:15:02,367 The term for when animals break the water's surface, 323 00:15:02,369 --> 00:15:04,269 So surprising. 324 00:15:04,271 --> 00:15:07,205 To see them moving at these speeds 325 00:15:07,207 --> 00:15:10,141 Is really quite extraordinary. 326 00:15:10,143 --> 00:15:12,210 You have to ask, "why would they expend that kind of energy 327 00:15:12,212 --> 00:15:14,579 To breach?" 328 00:15:14,581 --> 00:15:16,748 Nelson: I mean, they are called basking sharks. 329 00:15:16,750 --> 00:15:19,250 If this was something they were seen all the time doing, 330 00:15:19,252 --> 00:15:23,721 They might be called breaching sharks, but they're not. 331 00:15:23,723 --> 00:15:28,192 So why are they jumping out of the water? 332 00:15:28,194 --> 00:15:29,527 Narrator: Could they have developed 333 00:15:29,529 --> 00:15:31,663 Their breaching behavior to find food? 334 00:15:31,665 --> 00:15:34,666 If so, they're not alone. 335 00:15:34,668 --> 00:15:37,235 The first predator that springs to mind when you think 336 00:15:37,237 --> 00:15:40,872 About breaching is, of course, the great white shark. 337 00:15:40,874 --> 00:15:46,611 ♪ 338 00:15:46,613 --> 00:15:48,212 Now, the great white shark can reach speeds 339 00:15:48,214 --> 00:15:49,981 Of up to 40 miles an hour 340 00:15:49,983 --> 00:15:53,351 And launch itself 10 feet up in the air. 341 00:15:53,353 --> 00:15:57,221 ♪ 342 00:15:57,223 --> 00:15:59,757 Breaching expends a huge amount of energy 343 00:15:59,759 --> 00:16:02,060 For great white sharks, but it's needed. 344 00:16:02,062 --> 00:16:04,462 It's important for them to have a successful hunt 345 00:16:04,464 --> 00:16:08,599 In catching their more agile prey like seals and sea lions. 346 00:16:08,601 --> 00:16:10,034 Nelson: So it makes you wonder, 347 00:16:10,036 --> 00:16:12,403 Maybe basking sharks are doing something similar. 348 00:16:12,405 --> 00:16:19,010 ♪ 349 00:16:19,012 --> 00:16:22,013 Narrator: Except the diet of basking sharks is very different 350 00:16:22,015 --> 00:16:24,048 To that of the great white. 351 00:16:24,050 --> 00:16:26,851 Nosal: Basking sharks have very, very tiny teeth. 352 00:16:26,853 --> 00:16:29,821 They are not hunting things like seals or sea lions. 353 00:16:29,823 --> 00:16:32,924 They're hunting little plankton, copepods, fish eggs, 354 00:16:32,926 --> 00:16:35,259 Maybe some small fish in the water. 355 00:16:35,261 --> 00:16:37,428 ♪ 356 00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:39,464 There's no need to breach 357 00:16:39,466 --> 00:16:42,934 When you're hunting these sorts of things. 358 00:16:42,936 --> 00:16:44,268 Narrator: In which case, 359 00:16:44,270 --> 00:16:48,306 Why are basking sharks performing such airborne antics? 360 00:16:48,308 --> 00:16:50,742 ♪ 361 00:16:50,744 --> 00:16:53,344 Nosal: If they're not breaching as a means of hunting, 362 00:16:53,346 --> 00:16:55,113 It seems that the most likely explanation 363 00:16:55,115 --> 00:16:59,317 Is that they're breaching to dislodge parasites. 364 00:16:59,319 --> 00:17:01,652 Burke: Any surface of the skin can get coated in anything 365 00:17:01,654 --> 00:17:06,858 From sea lice to barnacles and even other fish. 366 00:17:06,860 --> 00:17:11,062 Narrator: The remora fish is a particularly pesky freeloader. 367 00:17:11,064 --> 00:17:14,499 Nosal: The remoras and various shark species have co-evolved, 368 00:17:14,501 --> 00:17:16,100 And what the remora has done 369 00:17:16,102 --> 00:17:19,037 Is its head has adapted into a suction cup 370 00:17:19,039 --> 00:17:21,606 That can bound into the bottom of a shark. 371 00:17:21,608 --> 00:17:23,641 Any times there's bits of food or scraps 372 00:17:23,643 --> 00:17:25,009 That the shark may leave, 373 00:17:25,011 --> 00:17:27,745 The remoras take advantage of that, 374 00:17:27,747 --> 00:17:29,480 But it adds a little bit of weight to the shark, 375 00:17:29,482 --> 00:17:32,517 And it's also going to reduce their hydrodynamics 376 00:17:32,519 --> 00:17:35,119 As they're trying to glide through the water. 377 00:17:35,121 --> 00:17:39,023 Narrator: An annoyance to any animal, especially sharks. 378 00:17:39,025 --> 00:17:40,458 Nosal: You can imagine, like, a dog 379 00:17:40,460 --> 00:17:43,161 Who has a tick or a flea, what does it do? 380 00:17:43,163 --> 00:17:44,495 It's going to bite at it. 381 00:17:44,497 --> 00:17:47,365 It's going to use its leg to scratch it. 382 00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:50,268 The basking sharks obviously can't do that. 383 00:17:50,270 --> 00:17:52,236 Narrator: Nonetheless, sharks will try 384 00:17:52,238 --> 00:17:57,675 Whatever they can to rid themselves of these moochers. 385 00:17:57,677 --> 00:17:59,677 Daly: Sharks may roll around in the surf 386 00:17:59,679 --> 00:18:02,346 Or even scrape themselves against rocks 387 00:18:02,348 --> 00:18:05,716 In order to dislodge these hangers-on. 388 00:18:05,718 --> 00:18:08,586 But a basking shark is typically found farther out to sea 389 00:18:08,588 --> 00:18:10,221 Where it's not going to be near any kind of rocks 390 00:18:10,223 --> 00:18:12,023 Or the bottom to rub itself on, 391 00:18:12,025 --> 00:18:14,826 So the best solution for them might actually be to hit 392 00:18:14,828 --> 00:18:18,629 The water with enough force that it dislodges the parasite. 393 00:18:18,631 --> 00:18:21,999 Narrator: Makes sense, but dislodging parasites may not be 394 00:18:22,001 --> 00:18:25,736 The only reason basking sharks breach. 395 00:18:25,738 --> 00:18:27,972 They seem to do this behavior most often 396 00:18:27,974 --> 00:18:29,707 When they're in a group, 397 00:18:29,709 --> 00:18:31,142 Almost as if they're only doing it 398 00:18:31,144 --> 00:18:33,411 When there's somebody else to impress. 399 00:18:33,413 --> 00:18:36,581 ♪ 400 00:18:43,456 --> 00:18:46,290 ♪ 401 00:18:46,292 --> 00:18:48,893 Narrator: Basking sharks off the coast of ireland 402 00:18:48,895 --> 00:18:50,995 Are making a mockery of their name 403 00:18:50,997 --> 00:18:54,398 By leaping clear out of the atlantic ocean. 404 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,635 If they are ridding themselves of pesky parasites, 405 00:18:57,637 --> 00:19:01,372 Why are they only doing it in big groups? 406 00:19:01,374 --> 00:19:05,610 Could it be some kind of mating display? 407 00:19:05,612 --> 00:19:09,714 Nosal: In many animal species, 408 00:19:09,716 --> 00:19:12,583 Males are often competing for females' attention. 409 00:19:12,585 --> 00:19:16,220 They want to mate with as many females as they can. 410 00:19:16,222 --> 00:19:20,691 Narrator: The ocean is full of male show-offs. 411 00:19:20,693 --> 00:19:24,095 Humpback whales sing to their mates. 412 00:19:24,097 --> 00:19:27,131 [ whale singing ] 413 00:19:30,904 --> 00:19:35,339 Hooded seals inflate their noses... 414 00:19:35,341 --> 00:19:38,743 And mobula rays will splash on the water's surface 415 00:19:38,745 --> 00:19:40,978 As part of their courtship behavior. 416 00:19:40,980 --> 00:19:43,848 ♪ 417 00:19:43,850 --> 00:19:45,683 Nelson: So this could be part of a mating ritual 418 00:19:45,685 --> 00:19:49,754 Where the males are attracting females' attention. 419 00:19:49,756 --> 00:19:52,190 So it makes sense that they're trying to assert dominance 420 00:19:52,192 --> 00:19:55,626 Over the other males in the group. 421 00:19:55,628 --> 00:19:58,095 They want to say, "hey, I am the biggest, 422 00:19:58,097 --> 00:20:01,732 Showiest, strongest male. Breed with me." 423 00:20:01,734 --> 00:20:03,801 Narrator: However, there's a twist. 424 00:20:03,803 --> 00:20:07,004 Female basking sharks are breaching, too. 425 00:20:07,006 --> 00:20:09,273 Burke: It appears that males are able to assert 426 00:20:09,275 --> 00:20:12,643 Their dominance over each other, but the females breach, as well, 427 00:20:12,645 --> 00:20:13,978 And it's thought that they do this 428 00:20:13,980 --> 00:20:16,714 To display their readiness to mate. 429 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:19,483 Narrator: So its seems the solution may be two-fold. 430 00:20:19,485 --> 00:20:23,821 Basking sharks are breaching to get clean and to find a mate. 431 00:20:23,823 --> 00:20:26,123 Nosal: In the end, it's likely a combination of factors 432 00:20:26,125 --> 00:20:27,258 That's contributing 433 00:20:27,260 --> 00:20:29,560 To the breaching behavior in basking sharks. 434 00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,862 They almost certainly do it to dislodge parasites, 435 00:20:31,864 --> 00:20:33,331 But it could also have something to do 436 00:20:33,333 --> 00:20:36,033 With the mating ritual, as well. 437 00:20:36,035 --> 00:20:37,668 Nelson: You can only imagine if you were a female, 438 00:20:37,670 --> 00:20:41,239 You wouldn't want to mate with a male that was full of parasites. 439 00:20:41,241 --> 00:20:43,241 So it's kind of like they're sprucing themselves up, 440 00:20:43,243 --> 00:20:45,009 Getting ready for a big date. 441 00:20:45,011 --> 00:20:48,112 So what's incredible about this breaching behavior is it seems 442 00:20:48,114 --> 00:20:50,081 That there's a lot being communicated 443 00:20:50,083 --> 00:20:52,149 In a simple leap out of the sea. 444 00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:56,921 ♪