Humpback Whale
Have you ever seen a whale whose tail patterns are as unique as human fingerprints? Meet the humpback whale, one of the ocean's most incredible creatures of the sea!
Facts about Humpback Whale
- Antarctica
- Antarctic Peninsula
- Falkland Islands
- South Georgia
- South Shetland Islands
- Arctic
- Canada
- Faroe Islands
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Jan Mayen
- Svalbard
- South America
- Argentina
- Europe
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Portugal
- Norway
- Scotland
- Spain
Humpback Whale Quick Overview:
Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae
Population: Estimated at 60,000-80,000 globally
Regions: Antarctica, Arctic, Europe, South America
Destinations: Falkland Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Argentina
Average Length: Adult: 35-50 ft (10-16 m); Newborn: 13-16 ft (4-5 m)
Average Weight: Adult: 23-30 tons (21-27 metric tons); Newborn: 1-2 tons (900-1,800 kg)
Pectoral Fins: Pacific humpbacks: white underneath, black on top; Atlantic humpbacks: white on both sides
Diet Habits: Carnivorous (krills, small fishes)
Humpback Whale Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Megaptera
Species: Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback Whales Explorer Passport
English: Humpback Whale
Danish: Pukkelhval
Chinese: 座头鲸 (Zuò tóu jīng)
Swedish: Knölval
Finnish: Kyttyrävalas
Norwegian: Knølhval
Polish: Humbak
Japanese: ザトウクジラ (Zatōkujira)
Spanish: Ballena Jorobada
French: Baleine à bosse
Questions Guests Ask About Humpback Whales
How big is a humpback whale?
They are among the largest marine mammals. Adult typically measure 10 to 16 meters (35-50 feet) in length. Baby humpback whales are also impressive in size, measuring about 4 to 5 meters (13-16 feet) at birth.
What does a humpback whale sound like?
This marine mammals are renowned for their haunting and complex songs. They produce sounds lasting up to 20 minutes and often repeat them for hours. Males primarily sing during the breeding season, and their songs can travel great distances underwater, including high-frequency clicks that reach up to 30,000 Hz.
Where does the humpback whale live?
The baleen whale isfound in all major oceans, but they are most commonly seen migrating to polar regions, such as Antarctica and the Arctic. The cold polar waters provide ideal feeding conditions, as they contain higher levels of dissolved oxygen, support rich marine life, and have fewer predators and minimal human interference. Thus, they are perfect habitats for these creatures.
How is the humpback whale migration?
This ocean giant follows a seasonal migration pattern, travelling between polar feeding grounds and warmer tropical breeding grounds. In the summer, they are found in the polar regions (Arctic summer: June–September; Antarctic summer: December–March), feeding themselves intensively on plankton, krill, and small fish to build up fat reserves. As winter approaches, they migrate to tropical waters, where they mate and give birth, relying on their stored energy until they return to the feeding grounds.
What does a humpback whale eat?
The humpback whale diet consists mainly of crustaceans (krills) and small fishes. They use a cooperative feeding technique called bubble-net feeding, where they work together to create bubbles that herd prey into a concentrated area, allowing them to engulf the prey with their massive mouths.
How fast can a humpback whale swim?
This majestic cetacean typically swims 5-15 km/h (3-9 mph). However, they can reach bursts of up to 25 km/h (15 mph) when necessary, such as avoiding predators or during migration.
How long can a humpback whale hold its breath?
These marine mammals are excellent divers, capable of holding their breath for up to 30 minutes. However, they typically surface every 5-10 minutes. This ability allows them to dive to depths of around 200 meters (656 feet) in search of food.
How long does a humpback whale live?
They have an average lifespan of 80-90 years. Predation, environmental changes, and human activity influence their longevity.
What color is a humpback whale?
This cetacean is primarily black or dark grey, with white markings on its underbelly and tail.
Breathtaking encounter with a humpback whale during the Chichester Fournier Bay expedition in Antarctica
How Many of These 10 Humpback Whale Facts Did You Already Know?
Fact #1: Like human fingerprints, the unique patterns on humpback whale tails serve as identifiers, allowing researchers to distinguish individual whales.
Fact #2: During their long migrations for breeding, they completely renounce eating, relying on the energy reserves built up in feeding areas like the Southern Ocean.
Fact #3: They are among the most frequent breachers of all baleen whales.
Fact #4: Humpback whale teeth don’t exist! Instead, they have baleen plates to filter tiny prey like krill and small fish.
Fact #5: A humpback whale skull weighs over 300kg—more than five average men combined!
Fact #6: They are an ocean giant but smaller than other species, such as the blue whale.
Fact #7: In rare cases, they capsize a boat unintentionally due to their immense size. To ensure safety and enjoy these encounters responsibly, always be accompanied by experienced professionals during whale-watching tours.
Fact #8: During summer, this majestic cetacean can consume up to 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg) of food daily!
Fact #9: They have a gestation period of 11 to 12 months, giving birth in warm waters.
Fact #10: Humpback whales migrate up to 16,000 miles (25,000 km) yearly, one of the longest trips of any mammal on Earth!
Join on an Arctic or Antarctica adventure with Albatros Expeditions and witness the wonders of their wildlife!
Each humpback whale tail tells a unique story in the ocean
Humbpack whale tails seen in Uummannaq!
Lucky day for our guests!
Spot this gentle giant from one of our zodiacs!
Zodiacs are one of the best ways to get a close view of this ocean giant!