Humpback Whales

"He is the most gamesome and light-hearted of all the whales, making more gay foam and white water than any other of them."
- Herman Melville: Moby Dick

      Few of the earth's creatures have evoked such strong emotions in mankind as whales. Their awesome size and haunting melodies have inspired myths and legends in virtually every culture that came into contact with them. Unfortunately, during the 1800's (and into the present) whales became synonymous with greed - a way to make a profit. Today, through the efforts of conservation and scientific organizations, whales are beginning to recover in number. Hopefully, future generations will have the opportunity to see the whales with the same wonder as previous generations.

      Whales express all the characteristics of other mammals despite the fact that they live in the ocean and resemble fish. Like other mammals, whales must breathe air using lungs. (Their repiratory systems are 4-5 times more effecient than that of humans). Whales use blowholes (nostril-like organs on the dorsal surface of their bodies) and can hold their breath for up to one hour. Without air, whales can drown. Female whales have live young like other mammals and the babies nurse on their mother's milk. Also, whales are warm-blooded. Their body temperature must remain constant. Blubber, a layer of fat common to marine mammals, helps them to keep warm despite the coldest conditions. The whale is the largest animal to live on earth.

      There are 78 species of whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Collectively, they are called cetaceans. Cetaceans are further divided into two groups (or suborders):
     odontocetes - toothed whales
     mysticetes    - baleen whales
Humpback whales belong to the group of baleen whales. Baleen whales are usually larger than the toothed whales.


Feeding

      Baleen are long, rough growths of keratin (the same substance as your hair and nails) that hang down in 2 long racks from the sides of the upper jaw. Baleen (of the humpback) are black and there are between 270 and 400 on each side of the mouth. Baleen also have an inner covering of coarse hair. As the humpback swims, it opens its mouth and the baleen acts as a sieve. Krill, and small schooling fish such as capelin, herrings, or sand lance get caught in the hairs of the baleen. The humpback then uses its tongue to push the water out of its mouth. The food remains in the whale's mouth and gets swallowed.

      Sometimes, a group of humpbacks will work together by employing the use of bubbles. The whales will blow bubbles around, or sometimes underneath a school of fish. This action seems to concentrate their prey and allow easier feeding for the humpbacks.


Distinctions

      Humpback whales each have a tail pattern that is unique much like a human fingerprint. Scientists can distinguish between individuals simply by checking the markings on their flukes (tails). Another interesting characteristic of humpbacks is the the size of their flippers - 12 to 13 feet long. This is 1/3 the length of their body. Dorsal fins also vary in pattern greatly from one whale to another.


Behavior

      Humpbacks engage in certain activities that have fascinated people for centuries. Probably the most mysterious is their "singing". Scientists studying this phenomenon are not entirely sure what the purpose of the singing is; although it does appear to be related to breeding , or perhaps announcing territory. The eerie singing of the humpback is reported to be the most complex in the animal kingdom. These haunting melodies can last anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour. Some humpbacks (usually lone males) will sing for hours or even days.

      Humpbacks are very curious and will readily approach boats. Whalewatchers have also been treated to spectacular displays of breaching (giant leaps out of the water). Scientists are not sure what this behavior means either. Some possibilities include: ridding themselves of dead skin or parasites, communicating their position to other whales in the vicinity, or just expressing excitement.


What caused their decline?

      The biggest reason for the high mortality rate of the humpback whale was WHALING. This intense exploitation was responsible for wiping out 95% of the world's humpback population. The introduction in the late 19th century of explosive harpoons and the steam engine caused thousands to be killed in the northern hemisphere alone. Also, with more powerful ships and equipment being developed, whalers could stay out to sea much longer and increase their catch.

      Advances also enabled whalers to take advantage of the richest region for whale collection - the Antarctic. In 1904 the greatest and most devastating mass slaughter of wildlife in human history ocurred. Over 2 million whales of varous species were killed - 200,000 were humpbacks. The Soviet Union reported taking 2,700 but the actual number was more than 48,000. The humpback was finally given worldwide protection from hunting in 1966.

      Today other ocean perils continue to threaten the welfare of the humpbacks. Many die each year from entanglements with gill or drift fishing nets. (Other species also fall victim to nets as well). Humpback whales, and many other ocean creatures are killed in collisions with ships. Habitat degradation and pollution not only continue to threaten whales, but every other animal that lives in the marine ecosystem.

      If you would like more information on humpbacks and other whales, please go to Center for Coastal Studies in Massachusetts


Resources:

Whales of the World Phil Clapham, Voyageur Press Inc. MN, 1997

Humpback Whales Phil Clapham, World Life Library, Voyaguer Press Inc. MN, 1996

California Marine Life, A Guide to the Common Species Marty Snyderman, Robert Rinehart Publishers, CO 1998

WCMC Red List World Conservation Monitoring Centre