There is simply nothing comparable to the affection of a mother. Among ocean creatures, marine mammal mothers demonstrate an extraordinary level of care and love in the underwater realm. The bond between mother and child is crucial for the survival of marine mammals. Similar to humans, marine mammals are creatures with warm blood that utilize their lungs to breathe air. They deliver live offspring and provide nourishment to their babies by producing milk from the mother.
The photographs captured by photographer Mike Korostelev allowed us a unique glimpse into the private moment when a baby whale nourishes itself by drinking its mother’s milk, which is then released into the ocean. Could you have ever envisioned it being this way? The strength of maternal instincts can be observed across various species, and within each of them, we can appreciate how they nurture their offspring. One particularly remarkable aspect is the act of breastfeeding, which is a form of whole-hearted affection that is uniquely experienced by every living creature. In this instance, a photographer successfully depicted the awe-inspiring photographs of a colossal sperm whale nourishing its offspring underwater. Even though we are referring to a customary and widespread occurrence in nature, few had envisioned this as the method by which a whale calf is nurtured. Mike Korostelev, a 38-year-old photographer from Moscow, had a remarkable experience in the Indian Ocean when he witnessed an extraordinary interaction between whales. He managed to capture a touching moment where a mother whale nurtured her calf in the water, showcasing their unique and beautiful bond.
The photographer expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness and capture such a profound moment in the whales’ lives, considering it a tremendous privilege. The nipples of female sperm whales are turned inside-out, meaning that when the baby whale is prepared to nurse, it goes beneath its mother and applies pressure to the mammary glands. When the calf triggers a response, the mother’s nipples become stimulated and release the milk into the water.
The infant proceeds to consume the milk directly from the liquid source, which is water. It doesn’t directly suck milk from the whale but obtains it from the water. Furthermore, scientists propose that sperm whales, specifically, consume milk in this manner due to the unsuitably designed shape of their mouths to endure suction. Consequently, they have a natural inclination to ingest the milk that is floating in the water. Each species has unique methods of providing nourishment to their young, all of which are equally extraordinary.