Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
IUCN: Least ConcernAbout Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are famous for their spectacular acrobatic displays and hauntingly beautiful songs. These charismatic whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 5,000 miles between feeding and breeding grounds.
Humpbacks are among the most beloved and studied whale species. They're known for their long pectoral fins (up to 16 feet), complex songs, and dramatic breaching behavior. The species has made a remarkable recovery since the end of commercial whaling.
🌊 Habitat
Humpback whales are found in oceans worldwide. They spend summers feeding in cold, polar waters rich in krill and small fish, then migrate to warm tropical waters for winter breeding. Popular viewing locations include Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, and the Caribbean.
🦐 Diet & Feeding
Humpbacks feed on krill, small schooling fish (herring, sand lance, capelin), and other small crustaceans. They're famous for their 'bubble net' feeding technique, where groups work together to create rings of bubbles that concentrate prey before lunging through the trapped fish.
🐋 Behavior
Humpbacks are known for spectacular surface behaviors including breaching, tail slapping, and spy-hopping. Males produce complex songs that can last up to 20 minutes and be heard miles away. These songs evolve over time and are learned and shared among populations.
👶 Reproduction
Females give birth to a single calf after an 11-month gestation, typically in warm tropical waters. Calves are about 10-15 feet long at birth and nurse for 6-12 months. Mothers are extremely protective and maintain close physical contact with their calves.
🛡️ Conservation Status
Humpback whales are listed as Least Concern, a conservation success story. From a population of just 1,000-2,000 in the 1960s, numbers have recovered to an estimated 80,000-90,000 worldwide. However, they still face threats from entanglement, ship strikes, and climate change.
Fun Facts About Humpback Whale
Male humpbacks sing complex songs that can last up to 20 minutes
Their pectoral fins are the longest of any whale, up to one-third of their body length
Humpbacks are among the most acrobatic whales, frequently breaching and tail-slapping
They use 'bubble nets' to trap and concentrate prey—a learned behavior passed between groups
Each humpback's tail fluke pattern is unique, allowing researchers to identify individuals