Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are a type of baleen whale known for their distinctive long pectoral fins, which can be up to a third of their body length, and their complex songs used for communication. They are found in oceans all around the world, and are easily identified by their black or dark grey bodies with white underbellies. Humpback whales are filter feeders, consuming large quantities of krill and small fish by taking in huge mouthfuls of water and then pushing it back out through their baleen plates to trap the food inside. They are known for their acrobatic displays, including breaching (jumping completely out of the water) and slapping the water with their fins or tails. Humpback whales have a cultural tradition of singing complex songs that can last for hours and travel long distances. These songs change over time and are used for communication and mating purposes. They typically give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 11 months. Calves stay with their mothers for about a year, during which time they drink up to 500 liters (132 gallons) of milk per day. Humpback whales are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to historical overhunting and current threats such as habitat loss and entanglement in fishing gear.
External Links
- [HumpbackWhale.org]
- [Humpbacks.net] Humpback whales of the South Pacific :: Whale Nation Project
- [oceancount.org] The Sanctuary Ocean Count | Humpback Whales Awareness Project