Rare cases of exploding whales from the inside out have been captured in terrifying videos in recent years. Dead whales are not just a pongy nuisance, but a threat to life and limb due to their known propensity to explode with force.
In 2021 a dead whale on the California coast near Tomales Bay was filmed right before it exploded.
Warning: Graphic Video
As the blood circulation and respiration stop in a dead whale, it leads to the decomposition of cells and tissues by the microbes already present in the body, which leads to the further proliferation of bacteria.
This process produces pungent gases like methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, increasing the pressure inside the carcass, which in turn leads to the cadaver swelling up, like a massive dead balloon.
Under normal circumstances, these gases would make their way out through the orifices, such as the mouth or anus. However, it is believed that the whale’s body weight seals all the orifices, leaving no way for the gases to escape.
Exploding whales is a rare occurrence, but it has been documented several times. In 2013, an unlucky biologist was filmed trying to cut open a whale carcass – which exploded all over him.
The sperm whale was one of two that died after being beached in the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, captured on camera by the Faroese Broadcasting Corporation.
Warning: Graphic Video
In 2004, a sperm whale that had washed ashore in Taiwan exploded while it was being transported for a post-mortem examination. The explosion sent a 10-foot (3-meter) wide column of blubber and flesh into the air, injuring several bystanders.
Several cases reported of exploding whales
There have been other cases of whale explosions reported around the world, including in Canada, South Africa, Iceland, Australia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. In some cases, the explosions have been caused by natural factors such as the decomposition of the whale’s body. In other cases, the explosions have been caused by human interference, such as attempts to move the whale’s carcass or puncture its skin.
A widely reported case of an exploding whale occurred in Florence, Oregon, in November 1970, when the Oregon Highway Division (now the Oregon Department of Transportation) blew up a decaying sperm whale with dynamite in an attempt to dispose of its rotting carcass. The explosion threw whale flesh around 800 feet (240 metres) away, and its odor lingered for some time.
Warning: Graphic Video
Exploding whales are relatively rare, but they have been known to happen, especially in areas with warm climates where decomposition occurs more rapidly. In some cases, the explosion has been powerful enough to send whale guts flying over long distances.
Scientists say that a major factor that causes a dead whale to explode is its size. Larger whales are more likely to explode, as they have more flesh and blubber to decompose and produce gas.
Temperature is also a significant factor as warmer temperatures accelerate decomposition, which can increase the risk of a whale exploding.
Whales that beach themselves or are stranded in shallow water are more likely to explode, as they are more susceptible to decomposition by bacteria.
The best advice if you encounter a dead whale on a beach or out in the sea is to stay away from it and to contact the authorities immediately.
Related: Why is Ambergris or ‘Floating Gold’ Produced by Whales so Expensive?
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