HUMPBACK WHALE
Megaptera novaeangliae

external image humpback_whale_sfw.jpg
Length: 15-18m


Weight:
40 tonnes

Life span: 50 years

Birth length: 4 - 5m

Birth weight: 2000kg

Population: 30 000 - 40 000

Classification: Baleen


http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/humpback_whale_sfw.jpg


Description


The most obvious thing about this whale is the hump on its back this is a fairly large clue as to how this whale got its name. It also has darkly coloured skin and is also recognised for its wonderful under water singing. Not only is this whale beautiful but it's also very clever with its unique hunting technique it manages to hunt for food in a very extraordinary way.


Migration

Humpback whales (like many other whales) make very long journeys for their migration from the tropics down to the cold waters of Antarctica. In winter they make their way to the tropics to mate and calve and in summer they go all the way down to Antarctica to feed.

They travel at the pace of 4 - 14 kph.


Diet


Humpback whales (like all baleen whales) are carnivores. They eat krill, plankton and small fish. Humpback whales have a very interesting way of hunting and it is much too complex for me to explain so i am going to let this video do all the talking.