EnglishThe planet’s oceans are teeming with fascinating creatures but few capture our imaginations as whales have. These gentle giants travel great distances each year and can be found in all of the world’s oceans.
The sight of a massive whale breaching the surface is breathtaking whether you’re seeing it on video or firsthand. One species of whale known for this breaching behavior is the humpback whale. The species’ history can teach us a lot about marine ecosystems and the urgent need to conserve them.
Humpback Whales, Charismatic Cetaceans
Even though they aren’t the largest whale species, humpback whales are not short on charisma. They display many behaviors that have puzzled scientists and dazzled animal lovers. Some questions about humpback whales have yet to be answered. This piece will cover some of the most interesting facts about humpback whales.
The Singers of the Sea
Have you ever heard whale songs? Those haunting yet strangely soothing calls that most of us associate with all whale species are usually recordings of humpback whales. The humpbacks’ songs have become the signature sounds of all whales, even though the original singers might be the most melodic species of all.
This singing behavior is enchanting and mysterious because experts still can’t agree on the reasons why humpback whales sing. One theory suggests that the songs are used for echolocation and feeding while another states they could be used to communicate with other members of the species over long distances.
Feeding With Flair
Humpback whales are extremely intelligent creatures that have complex but efficient methods of feeding. They thrive on a diet of plankton, krill, shrimp, and small fish. Like all baleen whales, humpbacks don’t have teeth. Instead, they have fibers that act as sieves to allow them to filter feed. But one of the most interesting facts about humpback whales is that they take this filter-feeding technique to the next level.
You might have thought humans were the only ones to fish with nets, but you’d be wrong. Humpbacks have been filmed using “bubble nets” to catch prey. They blow up rings of bubbles from below a school of fish or krill. The bubbles cause the prey to crowd together, making it much easier for the whale to rise from below and swallow a whole mouthful of food in a single gulp. Using such advanced techniques is proof that humpback whales are sentient, thoughtful creatures that deserve our respect and protection.
Humpback whales usually feed during the spring and summer, taking advantage of conditions to load up on nutrients. The winter months are spent migrating to breeding grounds where the whales compete for mates and do not eat at all until spring returns.
Stars on the Surface
For decades, whale watchers have been a starstruck audience for humpback whales. The species is known to become accustomed to the presence of boats, making them an easier target for sightseeing tours to track down. Humpbacks are also famous for their energetic surface behavior, performing breaches, fin slaps, and raising their tail fluke frequently.
The dynamic behavior makes humpback whales great photography subjects. Combined with their docile, trusting nature, it’s no surprise that humpback whales are a favorite among whale watchers.
Gentle Giants
How big are humpback whales? As far as whale species’ go, humpback whales aren’t exactly lightweights. Full-grown adults can grow between 15 meters and 18 meters in length, and weigh up to 40 tons! That’s around the size of a bus which should give you an idea of the scale of the creature.
Despite their large size, humpback whales aren’t considered a threat to humans. They have peaceful personalities, and cases of a whale attacking or even unintentionally injuring a person are extremely rare. Some freak cases involved:
- A woman who died when a humpback breached the surface and crashed onto the boat she was on
- A humpback whale accidentally swallowed a diver whole while feeding, only to immediately spit him back out
It’s safe to say that humans pose a much greater danger to humpback whales than the other way around.
Where Are Humpback Whales Found?
Do you want to witness the beauty of humpback whales with your own eyes? Thankfully, it’s still possible today despite the extinction faced by the species in the mid-20th century. In regions where these whales come close to shore, an entire whale-watching industry has sprung up.
Humpback whales are powerful swimmers, able to cover thousands of miles in a few weeks when they are migrating for food or mating. A single humpback whale can be spotted in locations as far-flung as Hawaii and Alaska in the same year. The humpback whales’ habitat spans the globe, covering the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Southern Ocean, and the Arabian Sea.
Though the humpback whale can be found worldwide, its scientific name is Megaptera novaeangliae, named after New England, where specimens of these whales were studied for the first time in the 18th century.
How long do humpback whales live? Humpback whales’ extended migration patterns are partly made possible by their extraordinary longevity. They live for 80 to 90 years, making them one of longest living whale species.
How You Can See Humpback Whales
Do you want to witness the beauty of humpback whales with your own eyes? Thankfully, it’s still possible today despite the extinction faced by the species in the mid-20th century. In regions where these whales come close to shore, an entire whale-watching industry has sprung up (an industry that, unfortunately, often harms the habitat of these whales). Nicaragua and El Salvador in Central America, the New England coast, or the Hawaiian islands are examples of destinations you could visit to catch a glimpse of humpback whales in their natural habitat.
Humpback Whale Conservation: A Success Story
We should consider ourselves lucky that we can still see humpback whales in the wild. At the height of the whaling industry, whalers were slaughtering and harvesting these magnificent animals by the thousands. Humpback whales were prized by whalers for their meat, blubber, and oil. Commercial exploitation nearly wiped out these beautiful animals from the face of the planet.
By the 1960s, humpback whales were in dire straits. Studies estimate that the total number of humpback whales around the globe could not have been more than 5,000 during those dark times. Global conservation efforts and the International Whaling Commission outlawed the commercial hunting of humpbacks in 1966 to stave off their extinction.
Since then, the humpback whale population has experienced a slow and steady recovery. The number of whales in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans has risen with each decade, though the Arabian Sea population remains isolated. While certain outlying populations may still be facing existential threats, the species as a whole is much healthier.
In 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the humpback whale’s conservation status as “Least Concern” in light of their population’s recovery. It is estimated that there are almost 80,000 whales today.
Help Protect Humpback Whales
It’s ironic how these majestic and massive creatures need help from tiny humans, but we must take our responsibility seriously. If you spot someone hunting, planning to hunt, or harming humpback whales, report it to your local conservation authorities. In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a hotline for concerned citizens. In El Salvador, people can report threats to humpback whales via WhatsApp at +503 7859 1474 and via phone call at +503 7856 0266.
Also, never support unethical whale-watching organizations that cause distress to whales by approaching them too rapidly and closely. If you have your own vessel, always be on the lookout and be prepared to change course while sailing in humpback whales’ habitat.
Together, we can protect these lovely giants of the sea so that marine ecosystems can flourish and future generations can also appreciate their greatness.