Learn More About the Humpback Whale

We think we know so much about so many things.  We here a few “facts” and run with them.  But what we would find if we just did some research would truly astound us.  When it comes to the humpback whale, we probably know very little about this amazing creature.

The humpback whale is easily recognized.  In fact, it is one of the most filmed and watched of all the whales.  Why?  Because they are mysterious and love to show off.

Have you heard the sound of whales?  You were probably listening to a humpback singing.  They have a beautiful and strange sound that they make that mystifies scientists still.  It is assumed that this sound made by the males is for mating since most animals on this planet strut their stuff and do all sorts of strange and unique things to get a lady’s attention.  This theory has not been verified.  The song can last as long as twenty minutes.

The humpback can get as large as 53 feet and over 76,000 pounds.  This is massive.  You cannot comprehend how big until a diver is seen next to them swimming in the ocean.  What becomes more impressive is when the humpback takes their massive body and breaches the water.  Despite their large size, they can shoot out of the water in an amazing display and crash back down into the depths.  This is such a sight to behold that many people take vacations just to watch the whales breach.

You would think that these large animals would be gobbling up everything they encounter in the ocean.  Surprise!  They only eat during part of the year.  In the summer they gorge themselves on krill and small fish.  When the air begins to cool and winter is not far behind, the humpbacks leave the polar regions where they have been dining and head for the tropical regions for a little romance.

When the whales get the tropics, as they fast they begin their mating and also to give birth to calves that can be twenty feet long and weigh as much as two tons!  That would be some birthing experience.  The gestation period for humpbacks is twelve months.  When a humpback nurses, the milk is pink.  This is another feature that makes them stand out.  Since the gestation period is so long, most humpbacks do not breed each year.  They usually breed every two to three years.

Once the winter is over, they head back to the polar areas and begin eating again and increasing in size.  The largest known humpback was one that was killed in the Caribbean.  It was a massive 88 feet long and ninety tons.  Could there be larger ones out there?

Throughout history the humpbacks have been the target of man.  They have been hunted to almost extinction.  Currently, there are about 80,000 known to be cruising through the ocean and that is only because in 1966 a ban on whaling was implemented.  The Japanese have fought the ban as they say they need the humpbacks for research.  This is still an issue that is being fought in various ways on the open waters.  In fact, many people volunteer to get between the whale pods and the whalers to protect this unique species.  They want to see more than 80,000 swimming the ocean.

Obviously, man is a predator and a protector of these huge fish.  There couldn’t be anything else that could decrease their numbers, right?  Wrong.  There is one other predator out there that eat humpbacks – the killer whale.  The killer whale does not seek out humpbacks for a large meal.  But if they cross paths, the killer whale would take advantage of such an opportunity.

Scientists are spending long hours studying these creatures.  So far, they have estimated that the average life of a humpback can be between thirty and eighty years.  Another unique feature that scientists have discovered is found on their tails and pectoral fins.  Know how unique your fingerprints are?  Any investigator can place you at a scene just by your fingerprints.  Humpbacks have their versions on these fins.  This makes tracking many of the whales easy as scientists can pinpoint particular ones and watch their behaviors.

Would you love to see these creatures for yourself?  It can happen.  Whale watching is a popular activity, and many business specialize in taking you to watch the magnificent creatures swim through the waters and breach.  What a show!

These are truly amazing creatures that are making a comeback thanks to many of the efforts of conservationists. Maybe one day we’ll be able to interpret their love songs and understand more of how they think.