M E R S E A
Humpback Whale Info Continued
Figure 3 HUMPBACK WHALE ACTIVITIES
The
whale blow or spout is the most common activity seen. Whales dive for several
minutes but must surface to breathe. When they exhale, warm air from the lungs
mixes with oils and moisture in the blowhole. This produces a visible spray that
can be seen from a long distance. It often looks like your breath in the winter
or a puff of smoke rising from the water.
When a Humpback does a deep or sharp dive it arches its back, then usually lifts its flukes out of the water. This is when you can observe the black and white markings on the underside of the fluke. Researchers use these markings to identify individual whales as no two are identical.
Lob Tailing is when the whale repeatedly slaps its flukes on the surface of the water. This may be done to stun prey, break off barnacles or communicate with other whales. Maybe its just fun.
Humpbacks can often be seen lying on their sides waving their long (up to 16 feet) pectoral fins in the air and slapping the water. Sometimes they will lie on their backs and slap both pectoral fins at the same time. Purpose may be to herd or stun prey, communicate or break off barnacles.
Spy Hopping is generally attributed to curiosity. The whale lifts its head out of the water with its eye at or above the water surface, and takes a look around. Possibly to do a little people watching.
Sometimes the Humpback Whales feed near the surface. When this occurs the whale(s) will often come partially out of the water with their mouths wide open. This activity is called lunge feeding. ABubble net feeding@ occurs when the whales make a net of bubbles around the feed fish and chase them to the surface of the water.
Breaching: In this awesome activity a whale will leap all or partially out of the water, twist, and crash back into the water with a thunderous splash. Breaching may be an energetic way to play, a way to knock off barnacles, or a communication signal to other whales.
***QUICK FACTS ON HUMPBACK WHALES***
Approximate populations:
North Pacific.....................................1,500
Summering in SE Alaska ......................700
North Atlantic....................................6,000
Southern Oceans................................4,000
Calf Population.....................................10%
World wide ......................................13,000
Length: Birth................4 meter..........14 feet
Weaned ..........7 meter...........24 feet
Adult Male ....13 meter......40-44 feet
Adult Female..15 meter......45-52 feet
Weight: Birth..................1800 kilo...4,000 lbs.
Adult..............40,500 kilo...95,000 lbs.
Calving Interval.................................2-3 Years
Parturition (birth) time............................January
Gestation Period...........................11 2 Months
Lactation (nursing) Period.................10 Months
Sexual Maturity: Females...................6 - 8 years
Males......................5 - 6 years
Maximum age................................over 60 years
Dive Depths: Maximum.............................600 ft
Average...................less than 150 ft
Intake: Diet......Southeast Alaska - Krill & Herring
Volume............900 Kilo...2000 lbs... Daily
Calves: Nursing frequency...............40 Times Daily
Nursing duration.................A Few Seconds
Volume............................. 150 gallons daily
Calf Growth Rate.......3 Kilo...7 lbs per hour
Migration Distance........................2500-4000 Miles
Migration Time......................................1-2 Months
Migration Speed......................................4-5 MPH
Maximum Speed.......................................25 MPH
Information packet written by Capt. Larry Dupler, VP of MERSEA, Chief of Operations and senior captain for Orca Enterprises whale watching tours.
MERSEA is a non-profit organization. It is currently supported solely by membership dues, donations and its adopt-a-whale program. If you would like to help make a difference click the link for more information about joining MERSEA, adopting a whale or making a donation. Thank you!
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