Are whales hunted for their skin?

Whales are not hunted for their skin. While whale skin has some uses (like making leather goods), it's not a primary reason for hunting them.

Here's why:

* Historically: Whaling was primarily done for blubber, which was used for oil, and for baleen in baleen whales, which was used for things like corset stays and brush bristles.

* Modernly: Whale hunting (for commercial purposes) is mostly banned internationally. In a few places, limited subsistence whaling still occurs, but it's usually for meat, not skin.

* Ethical and conservation concerns: Hunting whales for any reason is generally considered ethically problematic and environmentally harmful due to the slow reproduction rates of these animals.

So, while whale skin has some uses, it's not the main driver for hunting them.