This is when a whale will hit the surface of the water with its tail in a slapping motion. It is not quite known why they do this. Researchers have speculated that it is used by the males to either attract females or it is an aggressive posture to ward off other males. This is when the whale lifts almost its entire body out of the water. It will turn its body while in the air so that it will land on its back.
Researchers speculate that they breach to remove parasites such as barnacles from their bodies.
Other theories are that they want to take a look around, they are just being playful, or that they are trying to attract the attention of other whales. This is when the whale will raise one of its two flukes and slap it against the surface of the water. Researchers believe this is another agrressive posture toward other whales. It is also believed to be a method that the female whale uses to stress or enforce a lesson to her calf. This is when the whale will poke its head out of the water vertically just far enough for his eyes to break the surface.