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The Whalemobile We bring the ocean to you! Our life-sized inflatable whale, Nile, creates unforgettable experiences for schools and libraries.

Through hands-on programs, we inspire a love for whales and the ocean — empowering the next generation of ocean advocates. What started as a love for whales, when Cynde McInnis was a child, has led to a deep desire to protect our planet. By bringing Nile, a 43-foot inflatable humpback whale into your school and taking your students inside her, Cynde hopes to share this passion and inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.

10/20/2026

Why are some krill pink?

Their color comes mostly from carotenoid pigments in the food they eat, especially phytoplankton. One of the main pigments involved is astaxanthin, which can give krill their reddish-pink color.

It’s a similar idea to why animals like flamingos and salmon can develop pink or reddish coloring from pigments in their diet.

So that pink color isn’t random. It can actually reflect what krill are eating in the ocean.
What ocean question should we answer next? Comment below!

Krill are a type of tiny shrimp… or are they? Myth or Fact? No searching, just take your best guess and vote in the poll...
10/19/2026

Krill are a type of tiny shrimp… or are they?

Myth or Fact? No searching, just take your best guess and vote in the poll. Come back Wednesday to see if you got it right!

10/18/2026

What’s on the menu for humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine? 🐋

We’ve been seeing groups of humpbacks that appear to be feeding deep below the surface. Meanwhile, our plankton samples from Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge were FULL of these tiny copepods!

Are the copepods feeding the fish that feed the whales? Could the whales be eating some crustaceans themselves?

We have more questions than answers, and that’s one of the things I love most about being on the ocean! 🌊

10/15/2026

Yes, whales can get sick too.

Whales can develop illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and they can also experience skin disease, respiratory problems, and other health conditions.

Scientists often learn about whale health by tracking individuals over time, photographing changes in their skin and body condition, and examining stranded whales when possible. These observations can help researchers understand not only what is affecting one whale, but also what may be changing in the ocean environment around them.

What whale question should we answer next? Comment below!

And the answer is… FACT!Whales can experience sun-related skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially when they s...
10/14/2026

And the answer is… FACT!

Whales can experience sun-related skin damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially when they spend time near the ocean’s surface. Researchers have documented sunburn-like lesions and UV-related cell damage in several whale species, including blue, fin, and s***m whales.

Studies also suggest that lighter-skinned whales may be more vulnerable to UV exposure than darker-skinned whales, which means pigmentation may offer some protection.

So yes, even whales can be affected by the sun.
Follow for more whale facts and ocean learning!
Photo credits: Fin whale photo: NOAA Fisheries. Sun-damaged skin image/inset: Diana Gendron, via Science.org.

Whales can get sunburned… or can’t they? Myth or Fact? Take your best guess! Cast your vote and come back Wednesday to s...
10/12/2026

Whales can get sunburned… or can’t they?

Myth or Fact? Take your best guess! Cast your vote and come back Wednesday to see if you got it right.

Such a great time at the PTO Expo in New Jersey! We loved meeting new people, having great conversations, and sharing wh...
10/11/2026

Such a great time at the PTO Expo in New Jersey! We loved meeting new people, having great conversations, and sharing what The Whalemobile is all about!

Want to bring The Whalemobile to your school? We’d love to visit! Click the link in our bio to book a visit with us!

10/09/2026

The kids’ reactions say it all!

Want your students to experience this too? Book a visit from The Whalemobile! Link in bio.

10/09/2026

Did you blink? 👀

Want to know more about Nile? Visit thewhalemobile.com. You don’t want to miss it!

And the answer is… FACT!Whale earwax can tell scientists much more than you might expect. In some baleen whales, earwax ...
10/08/2026

And the answer is… FACT!

Whale earwax can tell scientists much more than you might expect. In some baleen whales, earwax slowly builds up in layers over the years, forming an earplug. By studying those layers, researchers can estimate a whale’s age and learn more about different stages of its life.

Scientists have also used whale earplugs to study changes in hormones and exposure to pollutants over time. That means a small piece of earwax can act almost like a record of the whale’s life history.

It’s a great example of how much information scientists can learn from something that seems so simple.
Follow for more whale facts and ocean learning!

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