Humpback Whale Courtship Behavior

Humpback Whale Courtship Behavior

Assessment

Interactive Video

Biology

9th - 10th Grade

Hard

Created by

Patricia Brown

FREE Resource

Male humpback whales create complex songs to attract females. A female whale listens and prepares to mate, accompanied by last year's calf. The courtship involves a slow-motion dance, but rival males soon arrive to disrupt the process. A battle ensues among the males, with the largest male ultimately winning the right to mate.

Read more

7 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the primary purpose of male humpback whales repeating and adding to each other's songs?

To communicate with other species

To showcase their memory and vocal strength

To scare away predators

To mark their territory

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does the female humpback whale do while listening to the male's song?

She sings back

She swims away

She hunts for food

She stays with her calf

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why does the male humpback whale stop singing?

He is scared of predators

He is hungry

He wants to follow the female

He is tired

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What happens when rival males detect the courtship?

They sing louder

They compete aggressively for the female

They join the dance peacefully

They leave the area

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How do the rival males try to win the female's attention?

By swimming faster

By offering food

By showing off their size and strength

By singing louder

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the outcome of the battle among the males?

The female leaves

The smallest male wins

The largest male wins

They all give up

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the nature of the interactions between the males during the competition?

Playful and gentle

Indifferent and passive

Aggressive and confrontational

Friendly and cooperative