Do whales explode when they are dead?

Asked by: Gary Phillips

Whales can apparently hold in gasses, or the “death burp,” for long periods after they die, sometimes resulting in massive and extremely messy explosions.

Why do dead whales inflate?

Gas builds up as the animal’s viscera and stomach contents decompose, but whale skin and blubber are tough. The massive throat pouch that you see inflating in all the pictures is designed to fill with seawater and then force it out through baleen [the keratin plate that whales use to filter food].

Can whales randomly explode?

Most scientists agree that whale explosions are unlikely. That’s because a dead whale’s skin will gradually form small tears, which will release some of the built-up gas. Whale explosions are more likely to happen if humans interfere with the corpse.

Why you shouldn’t touch a dead whale?

Beachgoers are always advised to stay far away from, and not touch, a deceased beached whale. This is because when the gaseous pressure inside the whale builds up to dangerous levels, it can have ‘explosive’ consequences.

Can a whale carcass explode?

Whales can apparently hold in gasses, or the “death burp,” for long periods after they die, sometimes resulting in massive and extremely messy explosions.

Will a dead camel explode?

And as soon as you touch it even lightly the camel's carcass will explode immediately. The power of such an explosion should not be underestimated. If anyone happens to be nearby. They may be injured.

What animals can explode?

Several species of ants, such as Camponotus saundersi in southeast Asia, can explode at will to protect their nests from intruders. C. saundersi, a species of carpenter ant, can self-destruct by autothysis. Two oversized, poison-filled mandibular glands run the entire length of the ant’s body.

What city blew up a whale?

Fifty years ago, Oregon exploded a whale in a burst that ‘blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds’ On a clear November day in 1970 in Florence, Ore., state highway engineers lit 20 cases of dynamite to blow apart a 45-foot sperm whale carcass that had washed up on the beach and festered for three days.

Why do whales explode after dying?

A decomposing whale carcass generates gases which build up inside their stomach and large internal organs. This then causes them to expand, but whale skin and blubber are tough so the gases become trapped inside, according to National Geographic.

Can a man survive inside a whale?

While the veracity of the story is in question, it is physically possible for a sperm whale to swallow a human whole, as they are known to swallow giant squid whole. However, such a person would be crushed, drowned or suffocated in the whale’s stomach.

What happens when a whale dies on land?

Stranded. Not all whales sink to the bottom of the ocean when they die, however. Some instead become stranded on coasts around the world. Although efforts are often made to save them, without water to maintain their buoyancy, the weight of the whale’s own body soon begins to crush the internal organs.

Do whales drown themselves?

Whales do not purposely drown themselves. However, if they get caught in a net and are unable to surface, they will drown. Beached whales may face a similar predicament. As tides rise, water may cover and enter the whale’s blowhole, causing it to drown before the water becomes deep enough for it to swim away.

What happens if a dead whale washes up on shore?

But most carcasses are not destined for display or analysis. Leaving a whale carcass on the beach to decompose has the benefit of continuing to nourish the surroundings. But as the carcass breaks down, it oozes a decomposition product called leachate. If this gets into water, it may lure sharks.