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Biology

 

              Humpback whales are large marine mammals belonging to the family Balaenopteridae. Some characteristics is their black or grey bodies with a white underside to their flukes (tail fins), flippers and bellies. The most noticeable trait is their long flippers which are modified forelimbs. Their scientific name is Megaptera novaeangliae and megaptera translates to "big- winged" in reference to their long pectoral fins. The bone structure in their fins are similar to that of a human hand and arm.

Image by Freysteinn G. Jonsson

These creatures can weigh up to 40 metric tons but are incredibly active. Often times they slap their flippers and tails on the surface of the water. Then they can magnificently spring or breach out the water the length of their bodies, which is 45-50 feet. They do so by using their strong fluke to launch themselves out the water going up to speeds of 15-17 mph.Scientist believe they breach in order to communicate when their environment is too noisy and their sirens cannot be herd.

 

Although humpback whales are marine animals they are still mammals that need to come up for air to breathe. Adult humpback whales usually surface every 7-15 minutes and calves (baby humpback whales) surface every 3-5 minutes.

This website was created as part of the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture ENHANCEMENT Grant (2020-38422-32257)

CREATED BY

Cyrillus Sidhe - Jenavey Ivey - Mariangel Varela

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