Do Whales Get Itches? How These Gentle Giants Scratch an Itch

Amazing whale photo by Elianne Dipp

"Do you think whales get itches? And if so, how would a whale scratch one?"

These are the kinds of questions that pop up at my house. Sometimes Matt joins me in the “if this, then that” game. Other times, I can feel him roll his eyes, reluctantly playing along. And occasionally (or rather most of the time), I sense him silently begging me to move on and give him a little peace.

You might also wonder where in the world these questions come from. I do not really know that either. But the world is endless in things we do not know, and I am always curious about the how and why. Sometimes the questions themselves are just as fun as the answers or at least the guesses.

For some reason, this particular question caught Matt’s attention, and we ended up talking about it for a bit. We agreed: whales probably do get itches, but they do not have hands so how do they scratch?

Naturally, I turned to my trusted friend Google to see what whales might do. It turns out there are three ways we humans believe or at least assume they scratch their itches:

1. Rubbing Against Surfaces

Whales often swim up against rocks, coral, sandbanks, or even the ocean floor to relieve an itch. Think of it as nature’s version of a back scratcher, just on a much grander scale. (Here is a short video showing this behavior: Watch these whales exfoliate their way to healthy skin—by rubbing on rocks | Science | AAAS)

2. Using Other Whales

Sometimes, whales might rub against one another. Social creatures as they are, a friendly nudge or a gentle brush with a fin or tail could double as an itch-relief session.

3. Leaping and Splashing

Whales breach, slap the water with their tails, and roll around, which may help dislodge irritants or relieve itches. Plus, it looks really dramatic while they do it, like they are performing for an underwater audience.

What Causes a Whale to Itch?

You might be wondering what would cause a whale to itch in the first place. My first response is usually, I do not know! But on further reflection, well, it makes sense. Parasites attaching themselves to their massive bodies could definitely cause some irritation. Skin sloughing off as it naturally renews could be another culprit. Add in algae, barnacles, or other small ocean hitchhikers, and suddenly those dramatic breaches and rolls start to make a lot more sense.

Final Thoughts

So next time you see a whale rolling, breaching, or rubbing against something, remember it might not just be play, it could be a full-blown scratch session. And just like us, even the ocean’s largest creatures need a little relief now and then.

Have you ever wondered about the curious habits of whales or any other animals? Share your favorite “what if” questions in the comments below. I would love to hear what you think whales or any creature might be up to beneath the surface.

Thanks for reading The 3rd Flamingo—a blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.