Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
- Where
- Oceans worldwide, polar to tropical
- Habitat
- Open ocean and coastal waters
- Diet
- Krill, small fish, plankton
- Size
- 50-60 feet (15-18 meters) long
- Lifespan
- 40-50 years in wild
- Conservation
- Endangered due to ship strikes, entanglements, noise pollution, and climate change
Fun Facts
- Humpbacks sing songs up to 20 minutes long!
- They breach (jump) out of water over 30 feet high!
- Each whale has unique song patterns like human fingerprints
Learn More
Thick blubber keeps them warm in cold waters
Long pectoral fins help steer and balance
Humps on shoulders are actually muscles, not bones