Logo Muuuh Nature and Wildlife Documentaries

muuuh

nature documentaries

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) - Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-23
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) - 2021-08-23

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

The humpback whale is a species found in all oceans, migrating up to 25'000 km each year. Humpbacks feed in polar waters and mate and give birth in tropical and subtropical waters.

  • πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Baleine Γ  Bosse
  • πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ Buckelwal
  • πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Ballena jorobada, Ballena yubarta

Characteristics

  • Length: 12-15m
  • Weight: 22.7-36.3t

How to Identify

If lucky, I see them breaching the water surface and with a glimpse on their long, uniquely shaped, thin pectoral fins they are easy to identify. Also, the way how they jump and fall back is a good clue. If they surface only to breath, the small dorsal fins and the characteristic display of the tail fin are hints.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Where and When to Spot

I saw them on a boat trip near Tadoussac in the middle of Saint Lawrence River, and frequently from the beach along the coast near St. John's, NL where they can get pretty close to the beach.

Observations by Park and Season

Location Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from the park during that season.

Species Biology, Behavior, and Ecology

Explore detailed insights into the biology, behavior, and ecology of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Click on a question to reveal the answer.

Has the Humpback Whale a world-wide distribution?

Yes, they are found in all the major oceans, both in the Northern and Southern hemisphere, in tropical, temperate, and polar waters. It migrates seasonally between feeding grounds in colder regions and breeding grounds in warmer regions.

Is the Humpback Whale an endangered species?

No, globally, the species is listed as "Least Concern". Humpback whales were once hunted to the brink of extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have significantly recovered. However, some specific populations are still considered endangered or vulnerable due to localized threats such as habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, and ship strikes.

Is the Humpback Whale the largest whale species?

No, it is not. While this whale species can grow to between 15 and 19 meters in length and weigh approximately 40 tons, they are overshadowed by the blue whale, which can reach over 30 meters in length and weigh more than 150 tons.

Does the Humpback Whale have the longest flippers of any whale?

Yes. This whale species has long and slender pectoral fins that can grow to nearly 5 meters in length, accounting for about one-third of the whale's body length. These flippers aid in maneuvering in the water and are used in communication and play when flapping on the water surface.

Does the Humpback Whale have a dorsal fin?

Yes, it does. Humpback whales have a small often-hooked dorsal fin on their backs, which helps them steer and stabilize in the water. The shape and size of the dorsal fin can vary among individuals and populations.

Does the Humpback Whale have teeth?

No, it does not. Humpback whales are baleen whales, which means they have plates made of keratin in their mouths that act as filters to trap small prey like krill and fish. Humpback Whales feed by taking in large amounts of water and then closing their mouths, forcing the water out through the baleen plates.

Does the Humpback Whale have any predators?

Yes it does. This whale species faces natural threats from Orcas and large sharks. Additionally, Humpback Whales are vulnerable to human related threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, shop strikes and noise pollution.

Does the Humpback Whale exhibit sexual dimorphism?

No, there are just minimal physical and morphological differences, which are not easily observable in the field. There are also behavioral differences, particularly during the breeding season. Males are known for their complex songs and display behaviors to attract females and compete with other males.

Does the Humpback Whale hunt alone?

No, it doesn't. Humpback whales are social creatures that form temporary groups called pods. These pods can range from just a couple of individuals to more than 20, and their composition can change frequently. Pods may cooperate in activities such as feeding, mating, or defending against predators.

Does the Humpback Whale eat only krill?

No, it does not. This whale species is an opportunistic feeder, meaning it can adapt to different food sources depending on availability and location. While it mainly consumes krill, it also includes small fish, squid, octopus, and even salmon in its diet.

Is the Humpback Whale well studied in the field of animal behavior?

Yes, the Humpback Whale is one of the most well-studied whale species in the field of animal behavior. Several aspects of their behavior have been extensively researched, including the complex, lengthy, and wide-reaching songs of male Humpback Whales, their migration patterns between polar feeding regions and tropical breeding grounds, cooperative feeding techniques, social structure, and breaching and other surface behaviors.

Is the Humpback Whale easy to identify?

Yes, Humpback Whales are relatively easy to identify due to several distinctive features: their fluke, small often-hooked dorsal fin, long pectoral fins, and knobby head. Additionally, there are behavioral clues such as raising the fluke when diving, breaching the surface, and flapping the pectoral fins on the water surface.