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Incredibly Rare White Humpback Whale Baby Spotted In Tonga

View of a large whale mid-jump out of the water, stomach facing the camera

Sure, tiny animals are adorable. But let’s not dismiss the fact that massive animals like whales are adorable in their own right. These large creatures are often just as curious about us as we are about them. Still, I have a feeling it was the humans who were most awestruck in a recent encounter off the coast of Vava’u, an island group in Tonga. Here, a group of divers had the rare chance of spotting a white whale in person.

Videos by InspireMore

Simon Lorenz is one of those lucky divers. He runs the company Insider Divers, but this opportunity was extraordinary even for him. In fact, he says that this is his very first experience like this one, noting that it is “very rare” to spot a white whale. Catch a view of this beautiful creature in the video below.

@envdefensefund 🐋 Divers off the coast of Vava’u, Tonga, encountered a rare “fully white humpback baby” with its mother on August 24. Simon Lorenz, who runs the company Insider Divers, said that while having lunch on the coast of Tonga, he saw something white surface out of the water. They then approached the creature underwater and found that it was an albino humpback whale resting with its mother. Lorenz said that he’d never experienced anything like it. “The whale’s features could be observed much clearer than on any other whale, as normally whales would have a mottled appearance,” he said. While humpback whales can live for up to 90 years, Lorenz said that adult albino humpbacks are “very rare,” as their bright appearance makes it more difficult for them to avoid predators. #Whales #Humpback #MarineLife #Ocean #Earth #Wildlife #Conservation ♬ original sound – Environmental Defense Fund

Lucky Divers Capture Stunning Footage of a Rare White Whale Off the Coast of Tonga Islands

While diving, it was the whiteness of the whale that initially captured the group’s attention. Once the divers were able to get closer, they identified the animal as an albino humpback that was resting with its mother.

“The whale’s features could be observed much clearer than on any other whale,” Simon points out, “as normally whales would have a mottled appearance.”

Typically, humpback whales have a lifespan of 90 years — impressive! That said, most of the time, adult albinos aren’t so lucky. That’s because their bright appearance makes it difficult to avoid predators. So, the fact that this one was spotted is truly amazing!

“OMG I have goosebumps all over! I have no words to describe this beauty,” someone shares in the comment section, with another adding, “May its life be long and joyful.”

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!

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