Humpback Whale

About

Humpback whales are large baleen whales known for their distinctive body shape and behaviors. They typically range from 12 to 16 meters in length and weigh about 25 to 40 metric tons. Their bodies are black on top with variable white markings underneath, and they have long, narrow flippers that are about a third of their body length. Humpbacks are recognized by their acrobatic displays, including breaching and lobtailing. Humpback whales are found in all oceans and migrate between polar feeding grounds in summer and tropical breeding grounds in winter. They feed on krill, small fish, and plankton using a technique called bubblenetting. Known for their complex songs, humpbacks are highly vocal and social creatures. Their population has significantly increased from around 1,200 in 1966 to over 80,000 today, thanks to international whaling bans. However, they still face threats like ship collisions and noise pollution.