Sperm whales drop bubble of poo off WA to prevent orca attack

March 20, 2024 8:58 PM

Sperm whales drop bubble of poo off WA to prevent orca attack in rarely recorded encounter. Observers look on in amazement as sperm whales off Western Australia's southern coast successfully defend themselves from a pod of attacking Orca by defecating at will, creating a cloud of diarrhoea.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (19 comments total)

Good for the sperm whales to fight back. I adore sperm whales, they are intelligent and have complex social behaviours, like orcas.
posted by Didnt_do_enough at 9:02 PM on March 20

Is there anything that can’t be achieved by the correct amount and application of poo?
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:09 PM on March 20 [4 favorites]

I believe hippos do this, too (on land). Another reason to stay away from them.
posted by praemunire at 10:17 PM on March 20 [2 favorites]

That's a good way to deal with a shitty situation.
posted by brundlefly at 11:04 PM on March 20

So, you think you could out-clever us whale folk with your silly, fins-bent, swimming about, advancing behavior! I fart in your general direction!
posted by Avelwood at 11:21 PM on March 20 [5 favorites]

That would also put me off my lunch, good on the whales
posted by The River Ivel at 2:57 AM on March 21

It's perhaps a bit of a guess that they're poopiing at will rather than being scared shitless at it being a non-voluntary pooping with happy result (for the Sperm Whale).
posted by dobbs at 3:07 AM on March 21

Wait, pooping at Will is the thing now? I thought we were still pooping at Kate.

In any case, it's rude for whales to poop at their own Prince or Princess.
posted by flabdablet at 3:30 AM on March 21 [2 favorites]

Need a replacement for your Scabby the Rat balloon at the next strike? Have I got a symbol of solidarity for you!
posted by mittens at 3:42 AM on March 21 [3 favorites]

This is exactly the kind of post I come to Metafilter for. Thank you.
posted by rednikki at 5:53 AM on March 21

I mean, literally scared shitless?
posted by thecincinnatikid at 5:58 AM on March 21

Amazing. Good job, sperm whales!
posted by rmd1023 at 5:59 AM on March 21

I too poo when threatened.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 6:38 AM on March 21 [1 favorite]

I too poo when threatened.

If you say “boo” and try to chew, me and my crew will poo at you.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:23 AM on March 21 [2 favorites]

another one for the Greatest Hits, CPBC
posted by elkevelvet at 8:32 AM on March 21

You just don’t even know how much I needed a belly laugh. Thank you!
posted by manageyourexpectations at 9:36 AM on March 21

This is quality shitposting.
posted by athenasbanquet at 11:10 AM on March 21 [7 favorites]

I guess Rafi was right, self-defeces is a legit tactic.
posted by J-Garr at 11:52 AM on March 21

A creative (and apparently also very effective) self-defense strategy!
posted by cnidaria at 10:41 AM on March 23