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  • Conjoined Whale Calves Found In Lagoon

    Conjoined Whale Calves Found In Lagoon

    Every now and then nature produces something remarkable, something we’ve never seen before. When we encounter one of these creatures, we are often overwhelmed with questions and curious to learn more about it. A recent discovery of two conjoined whale calves has scientists excited and curious at the same time.

    The conjoined carcass washed up on the beaches of the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, in Baja California, Mexico a few days ago. The bodies were smaller than normal full term Gray whale fetuses and scientists are not sure if they were born prematurely or smaller because the mother was unable to provide enough nutrients for them both to grow to full size.

    Gray whales usually only have one calf, but other whale species are known to have Siamese twins or conjoined twins. Scientists say that whales are made to only have one baby and on rare occasions when conjoined babies are born, they do no survive.

    Researchers believe that the calves were delivered early by the mother and say that a smooth delivery of the pair would have been nearly impossible. They were unable to find the mother and are not sure if she survived the delivery or not.

    The whales calves measured between 7 and 10 feet tall and are likely the only documented case of conjoined Gray whale twins.

    Scientists are currently studying Siamese twin whales of various species and removed the newly found carcass from the water so it could be studied. They are hoping to learn more about the phenomenon and maybe someday find living conjoined twin whales.

    What do you think of this amazing discovery?

    Image via YouTube.

  • Conjoined Baby Gray Whales Found In Baja, CA Lagoon

    This may be the first discovery of conjoined gray whale calves in documented history. Although other conjoined whales have been found before including fin, sei and minke whales, as well as sharks that were connected or conjoined, this was a first for the magnificent gray whale species.

    Scientists working in Mexico’s Laguna Ojo de Liebre discovered the twin calves that were no longer alive.

    The American Cetacean Society researcher, Alisa Schulman-Janiger believes that they didn’t survive birth and were possibly miscarried due to the size of the calves. They were underdeveloped – normal calves are born as long as 12 to 16 feet, these twins were only about seven feet long.

    There was a bit of concern over the mother and scientists were curious to learn where she was and if she survived the birth.

    Schulman-Janiger speculated that due to signs of severe underdevelopment, it’s possible their birth may have also killed the mom.

    Post by Guerrero Negro Verde.

    The gray whale females swim thousands of miles to give birth in the sheltered, warm lagoons of Mexico. Subtropical lagoons along Baja California’s Pacific coast are common birthing spots for gray whale mothers, although, typically they only give birth to a single calf.

    The gray whale twins’ body (bodies) has been collected for further study.

    Image via Facebook

    January 7, 2014

  • Conjoined Whales Discovered In California

    A rare discovery was found off of the shore of Mexico, in the Scammon’s Lagoon, on Sunday, January 5, when scientists discovered twin conjoined whale calves. Sadly, the calves did not survive, but their discovery is very important to the world of science, as they may be the first documented case of conjoined gray whale calves.

    Alisa Schulman-Janiger, with the American Cetacean Society, said that it is likely that the calves were miscarried and underdeveloped. She revealed that the normal length for a newborn grey whale is approximately twelve to sixteen feet, and the calves that the scientists discovered only measured seven feet.

    Scientists have removed the carcasses from the lagoon, and are planning on studying them further. Images of the whales were posted on the Guerrero Negro Verde Facebook page, with the translated statement: “Unfortunately, the specimen died. Its survival was very difficult.”

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