Humans first sighting of humpback whale sex appears to have been coitus between two males.

A study published by the Marine Mammal Science journal details researchers first-ever observation of humpback intercourse, which was captured by photographers off the coast of Maui, Hawaii in January 2022.

Photographers Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano witnessed two male humpback whales approach a boat and circle around it before engaging in sexual activity underneath.

The underwater tryst marks both the first time humpback whales a species which can span 50 feet long and weigh more than 30 tons have been observed copulating and is the first recorded instance of homosexual behavior in the species.

According to Stephanie Stack, a whale researcher at the Pacific Whale Foundation and lead author of the new paper, the sexual behavior of humpback whales has remained mostly a mystery until now.