Acrobatic giants up to 60 feet long, famous for their complex songs that travel hundreds of miles underwater.

Also called: Humpback

Native status: Native; cosmopolitan

§ Quick facts

SizeAdult length 12–16 m (40–52 ft)
Weight25–40 metric tons
Lifespan80–90 years
OrderCetacea
FamilyBalaenopteridae

§ Encyclopedia

The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual and is the only species in the genus Megaptera. Adults range in length from 14–17 m (46–56 ft) and weigh up to 40 metric tons. The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song that typically lasts from 4 to 33 minutes.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive head covered in bumpy tubercles; enormous pectoral fins (up to 5 m).

Similar species. Other rorquals. Sperm Whale.

Voice. Famous "songs" — complex repeating sequences.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Krill, small schooling fish.

Behavior. Spectacular surface behaviors. Males sing complex songs.

§ Range

Worldwide oceans; migrates between polar feeding and tropical breeding grounds

§ Habitat

Coastal and open ocean waters; calves born in warm tropical seas

§ Threats

Ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, ocean noise pollution, climate impacts on krill and herring.

§ Conservation status

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

§ What helps

Support slow-zone shipping rules. Reduce plastic and gear loss at sea. Choose responsible whale-watching operators.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Whale and Dolphin Conservation
  • Cascadia Research
  • IUCN Red List 2018