Adopt Seal the Humpback Whale - He is playful

Seal is a male humpback whale whose tail bears two remarkable markings that resemble seals. On the left side of his fluke, with a bit of imagination, one can see a seal reclining on land, flipper raised, head facing to the right. On the lower right side of his tail, a cluster of scars forms the likeness of a harp seal’s head and nose—an uncanny coincidence that inspired his name.

Seal is the son of Mars and the brother of Nile; together, they make up the only family represented in the CSI Whale Adoption Program. A long-time resident of the rich feeding grounds around Stellwagen Bank, Seal has become a favorite among whale watchers. He often spends extended periods near boats, both on his own and alongside other whales. Known for his loud, forceful blows, he has also been observed playfully nudging his companions with his head.

Seal’s 32 minute video shares these behaviors with the viewer.

Seal's Fluke © Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown

Seal blows under people (A scene from Seal's adoption video)

Seal spyhops beside the boat (A scene from Seal's adoption video)

Seal Facts

Seal’s Story

 Meet Seal: A Playful Humpback Whale with a Dramatic Flair

Born in 1984 to the resilient mother **Mars**—a humpback whale first sighted in 1979 and named for her battle-scarred fluke—Seal is part of a large and well-documented family. Mars has produced numerous calves, making Seal one of many siblings in this prolific lineage.

Along with his mother Mars and sibling Nile, Seal is one of the select humpback whales featured in the Cetacean Society International’s renowned Ultimate Humpback Whale Adoption Program. This unique program stands out by providing adopters with a compilation video (Seal’s is 32 minutes) showcasing the individual whale’s behaviors.

Like his family members, Seal is known for his **inquisitive and playful personality**. However, his life bears marks of hardship: a distinctive V-shaped notch missing from the left side of his fluke and white scarring around his dorsal fin serve as visible reminders of past entanglements with fishing gear or other hazards—a common threat to humpbacks despite conservation efforts.

What truly sets Seal apart is his signature twist on a classic humpback behavior: **flipper slapping**. While most humpbacks raise their massive 12–15 foot pectoral fins and slam them down immediately, Seal adds theatrical suspense. He often lifts a flipper straight into the air, holds it motionless for up to ten seconds—like a dramatic pause—before delivering a resounding crash into the water. This captivating sequence is prominently featured in his adoption video.

Seal’s story highlights the resilience, individuality, and charisma of humpback whales, making him a favorite for symbolic adoption and a reminder of the importance of protecting these ocean giants.

Seal’s Video Documentary (32 Min)

Discover Seal: A Captivating Humpback Whale Documentary

Dive into the extraordinary world of Seal, a charismatic and bold humpback whale, with this exclusive 32-minute video documentary included in the Ultimate Whale Adoption package.

Known for his playful personality and fearless curiosity, Seal captivates viewers from the very first frame. This engaging film showcases his most memorable moments and unique behaviors up close:

His signature flipper slapping, a rare and distinctive display that sets him apart from other humpbacks

Powerful trumpeting blows, loud and excited exclamations that echo across the water

A humorous mishap where he’s playfully bumped on the head by a companion

Jaw-dropping breaches hailed as some of the most spectacular ever captured—soaring high into the air and remarkably close to the boat

 

The documentary immerses you in Seal’s dynamic underwater life, highlighting the full spectrum of humpback whale behaviors:

  • Ingenious kick-feeding, creating intricate bubble nets with powerful tail kicks to trap prey
  • Thrilling open-mouth lunge feeding at the surface
  • Energetic flipper slapping and resonant lobtailing (tail slaps)
  • Curious and friendly boat approaches that thrill whale watchers
  • Acrobatic, explosive breaches
  • Graceful deep dives, revealing his distinctive fluke pattern used for individual identification
  • Experience the majesty of one of the ocean’s most beloved inhabitants—Seal’s story is an unforgettable journey into the heart of humpback whale life!

Seal’s Family Tree

Seal’s mother is a whale named Mars.  She was first sighted in 1979.

Seal was first sighted in 1984 beside his mother for nearly 10 months while he was nursing from her rich mother’s milk.

Seal has many siblings:

Mars’ Calves and year born

Felis  1982

Seal  1984

Excalibur  1985

Nile  1987

Mesopotamia  1990

Putter  1993

Valentine  1997

Unnamed  2004

Jupiter  2009

Unnamed  2012

Unnamed  2016

Seal’s  Friends

Humpback whale relationships are very short term lasting a few minutes or a few hours.

Determining whether whales form true friendships or merely tolerate certain companions is challenging, but when multiple humpbacks approach a boat together and move in coordinated harmony, it’s reasonable to describe them as friends—or at least close associates.

Agassiz and Seal approach boats together at times and thrill whale watchers with their actions. 

Named individuals like the humpback whales Agassiz and Seal (observed in areas such as Stellwagen Bank off Massachusetts) have been documented near and beside boats at times, engaging in coordinated behaviors that delight whale watchers. Their close interactions, including approaching vessels in tandem, highlight the fascinating social dynamics of these majestic animals.

Such sightings, often captured in whale-watching footage and compilations, showcase the thrill of witnessing these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat.  They get very close as seen in their compilation documentary.