Humpback Whale

Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae

Appearance & Identification:
Humpback whales are large baleen whales with long pectoral fins (up to one-third of their body length) and a small dorsal fin set on a hump-shaped back. They often have knobby tubercles on their heads and fins. Their undersides can be mottled white, which is unique to each individual and used for identification.

Size & Lifespan:
Adults average 12–16 m in length (some reaching 18 m) and weigh 25–40 tons. Lifespans are typically 50–80 years.

Habitat & Range:
Found in all the world’s oceans. They migrate annually between polar feeding grounds (rich in krill and fish) and tropical/subtropical breeding grounds in winter.

Feeding & Behaviour:
Famous for their cooperative “bubble-net feeding” where groups circle fish while blowing bubbles to herd them. They are acrobatic, breaching and slapping fins or tails. Humpbacks are also known for their complex, haunting songs, particularly sung by males during breeding season.

Conservation Status:
Once hunted extensively, their populations have rebounded since protection measures in the 1960s. They are now considered of “Least Concern” globally, though some regional populations remain endangered. Threats include ship strikes, entanglement, noise pollution, and climate change.