Could a whale swallow a human, 'Whalefall' style?

Science Friday | 16 hours ago

In the new movie “Whalefall,” a scuba diver (Austin Abrams) gets accidentally swallowed by a sperm whale. What follows is a tense battle against time and the whale’s digestive system, to escape before his air supply runs out. 

But could a whale actually swallow a human? And how might this play out in real life? Joining Flora to weigh in are sperm whale biologist Shane Gero, and “Whalefall” director Brian Duffield. 

Wondering how you’d fare inside a sperm whale’s stomach? Read more here.

Guests:

Brian Duffield is the director of “Whalefall.” He is based in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Shane Gero is a whale biologist and biology lead for Project CETI based in Ottawa, Ontario. 

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.
 

Be alert for scams. WNYC never asks for nor accepts money for coverage or interviews. Anyone making such a request does not represent WNYC.

Top Stories

Darializa Avila-Chevalier on Mamdani, ICE and the NYPD

Who’s Running This Place |

Has MAGA Lost Faith in Donald Trump? Plus, Molly Fischer on Waymo

Rich Baris, a pollster supportive of MAGA, explains how the President lost control of his movement. And Fischer, a New Yorker staff writer, on the present and future of driverless cars.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

Watch: Test your news knowledge with Brian Lehrer

Brian Lehrer leads special guests in a multi-round quiz of news oddities.
Radiolab |

A Nobel Peace Prize Winner on the State of Press Freedom and Democracy

The Brian Lehrer Show |
YOU ARE ONLINE