Humpback+Whale

=Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) =

By: Taylor Janezic



 * Description: ** Humpback whales are also known as rorquals and are as well considered a mammal. They have long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. Typically adults are 39-52 feet in length and weigh 79,000 pounds. They mate by singing a whale song which lasts 10 to 20 minutes. On average the female humpback whale breeds every two or three years, and the average gestation period is 11.5 months. These whales only feed in the summer. They eat mainly krill and small fish. In the winter they fast and live off of their own fat reserves. Humpbacks go through live birth.


 * Habitat: **The humpback whale can be found in the North Pacific (California, Alaska, Washington, Oregon), North Atlantic (New England, Newfoundland, Iceland), and in the Southern Hemisphere (Antarctica, Cape Town, Sydney, Columbia). Humpbacks spend their summers in cooler, high-latitude waters and they mate in tropical waters. Migrations on average are 16,000 miles which is one of the greatest traveled species. Humpbacks do not hibernate. For the most part there is an interspecies relationship, although killer whales are known to attack humpback whales and for killing young calves (baby whales).


 * Problems: ** Common reasons these whales have died off and become endangered are due to ship collisions, becoming entangled in fishing gear, and noise pollution. The most obvious reason for their dramatic decrease in population is because of whaling, or the act of hunting whales for mainly meat or oil.


 * Solutions: ** A ban was enforced in 1996, after 90% of their population was killed in the 20th century. In 2008, 1,500 whales existed before hunting was banned worldwide. Now a study has shown a comeback to a population of between 18,000 and 20,000. There are many national parks that have also helped sustain the humpbacks population. In 2008 the status of these whales endangernment changed from vulnerable to least concern.

-Wikipedia -Enchanted Learning -Mindy B. Kurlansky, Animal Diversity Web
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