Researchers have long watched whales swimming with clumps of seaweed on their heads. This behavior is seen relatively often, especially in Australia, Canada and the United States – where most whale watchers are located. Then they see the whales balancing seaweed on their foreheads, a kind of hat.
Researchers say they do it for two reasons: for fun and because it’s beneficial.
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To determine the first (pleasure), researchers look at three conditions: whether they are doing it voluntarily, whether it is enjoyable, whether it is a different behavior from normal, and whether they are displaying this behavior while they are healthy. A spin-off can be put behind all those circumstances.
But the seaweed hat, in addition to its cute and fashionable look, also has its uses. Of course, whales don’t have hands and use seaweed against itching, for example, but also against barnacles and whale lice.
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