Illusion or anatomical feature: why the whales saw a human foot

The network in 2016 appeared the Beluga whale, a mammal like are the legs, much like a human. Then suggested that this is why the sailors there were legends about mermaids.

In fact, under a thick skin of Beluga whales, of course, not legs. But since the popular photo recently resurfaced in the online space, we will try to explain what it is: an illusion or an anatomical feature.

Korepodobnaya symmetrical protrusions, which are visible in the photo, play an important role for marine mammals that live in icy Arctic and subarctic waters.

Is subcutaneous fat. In particular, elongated growths — additional isolated fat reserves that animals are kept at the sides.

Cary, Richard (Richard Carey), the caretaker of cetaceans in the aquarium (Mystic Aquarium), USA, said: "it's All in a weird perspective shot. The camera was at such an angle that it was seen as moving subcutaneous fat. Honestly, I've never seen that subcutaneous fat of the Beluga whales looked like in the picture."

Isolated fat reserves make up about 40 percent of the weight of the whales, so on the sides it is easy to notice, especially in the floating animal. In the case of a photograph, most likely, the movement of the body at the time of which caught the white whale, can explain the illusion of having human legs.

Mandy Migura, biologist and researcher of marine mammals the National oceanic and atmospheric administration: "I Think it's just the angle and the animal is captured during movement in the water, which caused distortion of appearance".