“While stranding is a known natural occurrence, the only thing we can do is to continue pushing them out to sea,” DNR senior … Dramatic video showed at least 20 pilot whales beaching themselves at St. Simons Island on Tuesday evening, with groups of bystanders working to get them back out to sea. It’s the question that has puzzled marine biologists for years, and continues to do so. These sprints have a crippling effect on their energy levels, according to a study published last year. Why do whales beach themselves? Speeding pilot whales can attain a top velocity of 20 mph—but they do so at a tremendous cost. It's apparently a known natural occurrence. Why do whales beach themselves? At latest count, over 650 pilot whales have beached themselves on a 3-mile stretch of Farewell Spit on the country's South Island. Pilot whales can dive 800m under the surface to feed on squid. Scientists have long known that some beaked whales beach themselves and die in agony after exposure to naval sonar, and now they know why: the giant sea mammals suffer decompression sickness, just like scuba divers. Loud noise can cause short-term responses in the whale’s body. When it comes to why whales beach themselves scientists haven’t been able to find a clear answer but have had many speculations and ideas as to why this may occur.. Whales beaching themselves have been recorded throughout history. Pilot whales seem especially susceptible, but even larger species will beach themselves. Cetacean stranding, more commonly referred to as beaching, refers to the phenomenon of dolphins and whales stranding themselves on beaches. There, the pod died in mass quantities, as the solid surface of land cannot support a whale… Intense noise can cause whales to beach themselves as well. At first blush, the explanation laid out Wednesday by 21 experts in the Royal Society … The sound can cause the whales to panic and rush towards the surface to breathe. There are around 2,000 strandings each year worldwide, with most resulting in the death of the animal. SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 16, 2019) – Multiple pilot whales repeatedly tried to beach themselves on St. Simons Island today, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Why whales beach themselves is still largely a mystery, even after centuries of recorded strandings. The Atlantic reports that in 2018, more than 150 pilot whales washed up on an Australian beach for seemingly no reason. In fact historical records indicate that whales have been beaching themselves since at least 300 B.C., however scientists are discovering that whale … Around 20 were discovered stranding themselves at St. Simons Island on Tuesday. 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