56-Foot Fin Whale With Scoliosis Filmed Swimming in Spain

A giant fin whale was spotted swimming off the coast of Valencia in Spain. However, something was very noticeable aside from its massive size; the whale has a pronounced case of scoliosis.

Giant Fin Whale With Scoliosis

A skipper of a boat spotted the fin whale from afar and thought that the whale was struggling to swim as if it was caught in a web of fishing nets. The fin whale was estimated to weigh 40 tons and measured 56 feet long, so it was not difficult to notice.

However, when the biologists and veterinarians arrived, it became clear that the poor creature had scoliosis. The drone footage revealed a sharp deviation in its spine about halfway down its body, Science Alert reported.

The disorder looked severe because the whale seemed out of shape. The Oceanografic Foundation in Valencia (Fundación Oceanogràfic de València sent a rescue team, and biologists hoped to monitor the whale by attaching a tracker to it. However, the malformation in its spine made it impossible for them to do so. A few hours later, the fin whale left the coastline, still struggling.

Scoliosis in Whales

Whales are sea mammals that are not known to develop scoliosis spontaneously. A 2021 study published in Nature revealed a rare occurrence of scoliosis in a minke whale stranded in the Netherlands in 2019.

The study noted several reports of cetaceans with scoliosis, and call cases indicate that they were due to traumatic origins, like a ship collision. The study found an obvious trauma in the whale's spine and subsequent severe local post-traumatic scoliosis.

Humans can sympathize with the painful condition that hits mammals, as we are the only species to develop scoliosis spontaneously.

Our anatomy reduces rotational stability to distribute weight easily for bipedal movement, suggesting that our spines can go out of shape easily without obvious cause. However, marine giants like whales have vertebral columns, making them less prone to scoliosis.

Thus, the case of the fin whale from Valencia with scoliosis remains unclear. The experts could still not explain why its spine was deformed. But just like the previous cases, it could probably be due to trauma from collisions.

According to Science Alert, about 20,000 whales die from vessel collisions worldwide annually. Most collisions reportedly involved fin whales.

Last year, a humpback whale with a broken back was also captured by drone cameras swimming from northern British Colombia to Hawaii.

What Is a Fin Whale?

According to Whales.org, fin whales are the second biggest mammals in the world. They are also called Finner; Razorback; Finback; Flathead; Common rorqual; Herring whale.

Fin whales have long, slender bodies. They can grow up to 80 feet in length. They are easily recognizable because of the distinct ridge behind their dorsal fin, which earned them the nickname "razorbacks."

Also, the left side of their lower jaw is black, and the right side is brilliant white. The difference in coloration between each side is called "asymmetrical pigmentation."

They are hunted for their oil, meat, and baleen. Fin whales' population has reduced due to the whaling industry.

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