Why do humpback whales sometimes keep their mouths open?

Humpback whales sometimes keep their mouths open because they're listening to sounds underwater, just like you might listen closely when someone whispers a secret.

Imagine you're at the beach, and you want to hear your friend talking across the waves. You tilt your head and lean in so you can catch every word. Humpback whales do something similar. When they keep their mouths open, it helps them hear better, like having a bigger earphone on underwater.

Humpback whales use sound to find food and talk to each other. By keeping their mouths open, they create a kind of natural funnel, which makes the sounds around them louder and easier to hear. It's like when you cup your hands around your ears, you can hear better!

Sometimes, this helps them locate tiny fish swimming in the water. It’s like using a special tool to find treasure, except the treasure is food!