Wildlifeof China
Humpback Whale
Whales, Dolphins & Dugong
Photo: (c) Charlotte Kirchner, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
Megaptera novaeangliae
Basic stats
Diet
Krill and schooling fish
Habitat
Oceanic and coastal waters from polar feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas
Range
Oceans worldwide
Size
Approximately 12–16m
Weight
Approximately 25,000–30,000kg
The humpback whale is a robust rorqual immediately recognizable by its exceptionally long pectoral fins, knobbled head and irregular trailing edge to the tail flukes. Adults are usually 12–16m long. Individual underside patterns on the flukes are widely used for photographic identification. The species occurs in every major ocean. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Humpbacks migrate between productive high-latitude feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters. They eat krill and schooling fish using techniques that include lunging and cooperative bubble-net feeding. Their acrobatic breaches and complex male songs make them among the most conspicuous large whales. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Humpback Whale eat?
- Krill and schooling fish
- What habitat does the Humpback Whale live in?
- Oceanic and coastal waters from polar feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas
- Where is the Humpback Whale found?
- Oceans worldwide
- How big is the Humpback Whale?
- Approximately 12–16m
- How much does the Humpback Whale weigh?
- Approximately 25,000–30,000kg