Whales are often
spotted wearing “hats” seaweed and this may be more than a fashion trend for marine mammals.
Australian scientists
revealed in a new study that the whales are somehow aware of the plant’s
antibacterial benefits for their skins.
They suggested that
whales use the seaweed to itch or remove barnacles in front of their blowhole
or on the dorsal fin.
“This behavior may be
playful but could also serve additional benefits in the context of learning and
socializing, as well as ectoparasite removal and skin treatment by utilizing
brown algae’s antibacterial properties,” the researchers said in the study
published in Marine Science and Engineering journal.
Scientist Olaf Meynecke added that “kelping” is an
activity that the giant sea creatures clearly enjoy.