They scoop up their food in their large mouths. The female humpbacks are longer than the males. To get you ready for whale season, here are 10 fun facts about humpback whales. They have one of the most well studied migration routes: in the summer they feed in mid- and high latitudes; while in the winter they occupy the breeding grounds in tropical and sub-tropical waters. They are identified by large flippers, a big tail, and specifically their hump-shaped back, which they arch just before they perform a dive. 1. Humpback whales are a species of the baleen whales, with plates in their mouth with bristles that help capture prey such as small fish, salmon, krill, mackerel and herring. Humpbacks are powerful swimmers and highly migratory species. Some whales make a round trip journey of up to 10,000 miles. Humpback whales eat krill and small fish, for example herring, capelin, and sand lance. The Humpback whale is one of the migratory whale species that passes by the Azores. 1. Their particularly large pec fins, big fanned tail and hump-shaped back with a small dorsal fin gives them the ability to power out of the water and perform feats of aerial acrobatics, such as breaching continuously out of the water. Their Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "big wing of New England." https://www.ultimatewhalewatch.com/humpback-whale-fun-facts 10 Wonderful Whale Facts 1. Humpback whales are found in every ocean in the world. Hunters catch whales for their meat and bones, and for medicinal purposes. Adults can weigh 25 40 tons, the size and weight of a fire truck. The large and robust body of the humpback whale is 50 feet or equivalent to one and a half buses. A whale could weigh from 500 pounds to 200 tons, depending on the type. With half of these expected to glide through the Sunshine Coast’s waters this winter. Fast Facts Type: Mammal Diet: Omnivore Size: 48 to 62.5 ft (14.6 to 19 m) Weight: 40 tons (36 metric tons) Group name: Pod Protection status: Least Concern. CHARACTERISTICS. They weigh up to 48 tons which equals the weight of 4 adult elephants. Its Shape and Size. The East Australian Coast population can be spotted along the coast of Australia between April and November, depending on your location. Sometimes they round up their prey by swimming in tight circles and blowing curtains of bubbles around them. Photo by Stan Butler. They Can Bubble Feed. Most baleen whales have either visible hair or hair follicles. An estimated 10,000 whales flock towards the great reefs of Maui to calve every year, and are enjoyed by a great many more tourists to the area.. Despite their massive body structure they are considered as acrobats amongst the whales. Whales can hold their breaths for at least 20 minutes. Humpbacks are famous for their beautiful magical songs. Its tail can also be twenty feet long, enough to cause a stir when wagged. The Whale Watcher’s Sweetheart – Humpback whales are loved by whale watching ships because of their active behavior, and propensity to approach the vessels. Why do Humpback whales sing? The pigment varies and is unique with every humpback whale. A species of baleen whale, the humpback migrates thousands of miles each year, travelling from its summer feeding grounds off the California and Oregon coasts to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator. These facts may assist you with your next humpback whale swim or whale-watching tour with Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim! Why do they breach and perform other acrobatic stunts? Humpback whales live along all ocean coasts, often swimming along the shore, including in harbors and rivers. February 19, 2016 Katrina Valcourt , They often hunt in small groups, called pods. 10 Awesome Humpback Whale Facts Humpback whales have one of the longest migratory journeys of any mammal on Earth, migrating on average 5000km each year. The blue whale is the largest known creature to ever inhabit the planet. There are thought to be roughly 40,000 humpback whales in the world. Nov 18, 2016 10 Fun Facts about Humpback Whales. The name comes from the huge swell, or hump, that develops in the water before a humpback whale takes a … Consider some interesting facts about the humpback whale and what makes it so special. 1. Humpback whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae) is one of the 15 species of baleen whale. Humpback whales are a species of the baleen whales, with plates in their mouth with bristles that help capture prey... 2. While the cycle varies slightly every year, most people consider whale season to run from December to April. All this contributes to a great amount of weight, and an adult whale can grow up to forty tons, that is almost the same as twenty standard cars. Most humpback whales don’t actually have a hump on their back. Humpback whales are some of the most curious and inquisitive out of all marine mammals easily identified by the distinctive hump on their back, behind their dorsal fin, but did you know these facts? Below are 15 fun facts about whales, proving that these creatures are a wonder of nature. Humpback whales reach 40 to 50 feet in length. Whales need to breathe air. A humpback whale leaps from the ocean’s surface! The body is black on the upper surface, with a variable amount of white below, and it has … Here are seven humpback whale facts to enhance your adventure. They have a dorsal fin on their backs, the shape and color of … Acrobatic Ninjas. It’s often easy to pick out a humpback whale because the fins it has on the front are very long, longer than most other whales. The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived and can grow to 90 or more feet and weigh as much as 24... 3. ... As you can see, there are plenty of facts that are fun to learn about whales. They emit a series of howls and moans that can go on for hours. The humpback whale is a unique marine mammal, with a number of distinguishing – and endearing – characteristics. Male humpback whales found in U.S. waters sing complex songs in winter breeding areas in waters near Hawaii, in the... 2. Fast Facts: Humpback Whale Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae Common Name: Humpback whale Basic Animal Group: Mammal Size: 39-52 feet Weight: 28-33 tons Lifespan :45-100 years Diet: Carnivore Habitat: Oceans worldwide Population: 80,000 Conservation Status: Least Concern They are famous for their spectacular jumps and their singing. Like many marine mammals, they were heavily depleted during the whaling era, but are now a centerpiece in ecotourism. Humpback whales can be recognized by their upper part in gray to black, and the gray-white abdomen. Marine experts are constantly finding new facts and features about humpback whales, here are some facts that you can check out: We’re really lucky to have humpback whales with us, as at the peak of the whaling era in the early 20 th century, humpbacks were nearly eliminated, losing 90% of their population. Facts about the Humpback Whale Humpbacks are black on their upper side and spotted black and white on their under sides. It also has a round but pointed nose and head with a very long mouth. Whale hair follicles have the same location as whiskers on terrestrial mammals. Tail can also be twenty feet long, enough to cause a stir When wagged up to 30 long. Whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) is one of the humpback the humpback fun... And the gray-white abdomen whales eat krill and small fish, for example herring, capelin, and gray-white! 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