Key Facts about Humpback Whales

About Humpback Whales:

• They are one of the larger species of whales.
• Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae
• The humpback whale was given its name because of the shape of the hump on its dorsal fin and the distinctive look of its back when diving.
• Distribution:
  • They live in all oceans around the world.
  • They travel great distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. 
  • They undertake long migrations between polar feeding grounds in summer and tropical or subtropical breeding grounds in winter. 
• Features:
  • Humpbacks usually range from 12 to 16 metres in length and weigh approximately 36 metric tons.
  • They are mainly black or grey with white undersidesto their flukes, flippers, and bellies.
  • Its scientific name, Megaptera, means, "large-winged," referring to its long, white, wing-like flippers that are often as long as one-third of the animal's totalbodylength.
  • Humpbacks also have large knobs on the head, jaws, and body, each knob being associated with one or two hairs. 
  • They often feed in large groups and are famous for their singing ability. Male humpback whales create and sing songs that can be heard up to 20 miles away.
  • Humpbacks use a unique method of feeding called bubble netting, in which bubbles are exhaled as the whale swims in a spiral below a patch of water dense with food.
    • The curtain of bubbles confines the prey to a small area in the middle of which one or more whale’s surface.
  • Lifespan: They can live for 80 to 90 years.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Q1. What are Mammals?

Mammals are a diverse group of animals that belong to the class Mammalia. They are characterized by several key features like have mammary glands, hair or fur covering their bodies and most mammals give birth to live young, as opposed to laying eggs.

Source: Humpbacks among animals who manufacture, wield tools