A baleen whale that performs the longest mammal migration on Earth — up to 14,000 miles round-trip from Arctic feeding grounds to Mexican lagoons. Eastern Pacific populations recovered fully from whaling and were de-listed in 1994.

Also called: Pacific Gray Whale

Native status: Native; recovered

§ Quick facts

SizeAdult length 13–15 m (43–49 ft)
Weight14–36 metric tons
Lifespan40–80 years
OrderCetacea
FamilyEschrichtiidae

§ Encyclopedia

The gray whale, also known as the grey whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. It reaches a length of 14.9–15.2 m (49–50 ft), a weight of up to 41 to 45 tonnes and lives between 55 and 70 years, although one female was estimated to be 75–80 years of age. One of the longest-living gray whales currently is a female, first sighted in 1977, and estimated to be 53–55 years old as of 2024. The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. Gray whales were once called devil fish because of their fighting behavior when hunted. The gray whale is the sole living species in the genus Eschrichtius. It is the sole living genus in the family Eschrichtiidae; however, some recent studies classify it as a member of the family Balaenopteridae. This mammal is descended from filter-feeding whales that appeared during the Neogene.

Source: Wikipedia — Gray whale Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Mottled gray with patches of barnacles and whale lice. No dorsal fin.

Similar species. Right Whale (smaller fins). Humpback (knobby head).

Voice. Low knocks, croaks, moans.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Amphipods, mysids, krill, small fish.

Behavior. Migrates 10,000+ miles annually between Mexico and Alaska. Spectacular surface behaviors.

§ Range

Eastern Pacific (recovered population); western Pacific (CR ~200 individuals)

§ Habitat

Coastal waters; benthic feeding in shallow Arctic and subarctic seas

§ Threats

Climate-driven prey shifts (recent unusual mortality events), vessel strikes, ocean noise, entanglement.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the gray whale is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support climate action. Choose reputable whale-watch operators that maintain distance. Reduce ocean noise contributions.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • American Cetacean Society
  • IUCN Red List 2017