15 Interesting Facts About Humpback Whales

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  1. The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. They are present in all oceans around the world.
  2. This marine mammal is the 8th largest animal on earth. They can reach a length of 16 meters (52 feet) and attain 40 tons of weight. Females are larger than males.
  3. Humpback whales have the longest pectoral fins among cetaceans. These are also the longest appendages of any animal on earth. These fins comprise one-third of their total body length and can reach 15 feet or more. (Source)
  4. Several recorded incidents have proved that humpback whales rescue other marine animals (seals, sunfish, sea lions, porpoises, etc.) from killer whales. (Source)
  5. Humpback whales are extremely popular for whale watching. These friendly whales are the only baleen whales that practice breaching (coming completely out of water). It is also known as the most acrobatic whale for showing 15 different surface behaviors.
    Humpback whale breaching
    Humpback whales are the only baleen whales that breach

  6. A unique feature of humpback whales is their songs. All males in a population sing the same song. They develop a new tune after every few years. The song of humpback whales can last for 20 minutes and is audible at a distance of 20 miles. (Source)
  7. Humpback whales travel the longest migratory distance among mammals. It covers around 8,200 km each way while migrating back and forth from colder food-rich waters of the Arctic and Antarctic oceans to warm breeding waters near the equator every year. (Source)
  8. Arabian Sea Humpback whales are the only population of humpback whales that don’t migrate. It is an endangered population with around 100 whales left. (Source)
  9. Killer whales and a few shark species (especially great white and tiger sharks) are the only natural predators of humpback whales. These animals usually attack and kill calves and sick adults. (Source)
  10. Like other baleen whales, humpback whales have an excellent sense of hearing. They can hear low-frequency sounds exceptionally well.
  11. Humpback whales were on the brink of extinction due to whaling at the beginning of the 20th Century. Their population fell to just 450 in the western South Atlantic before the introduction of a ban on whaling in 1966. Now, their estimated population is 25,000, close to their numbers before whaling. (Source)
  12. Black and white patterns and scars on the underside of the tail are unique in every humpback whale. It is one of the techniques to identify individual whales.
  13. One of the hunting techniques of humpback whales is “bubble net.” The whale uses its flippers and "net" of bubbles to catch prey. (Source)  
  14. Eating habits of humpback whales is similar to other baleen whales. Their diet includes small animals like krill, cod, mackerel, sardines, and other schooling fish.
  15. According to estimates, humpback whales can live for 80 years or more. It is one of the longest lifespan among whales.

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