Visible only after it begins to dive again is the humpback's name-giving arched back.
NPS Photo/Bill Baccus
Humpback Whale – Megaptera novaeangliae
Identification: Humpback whales are very large whales that can reach over 60 feet (19 meters) in length. They have a dark (black or grey) back that speckles off into the white underbelly and pectoral fins. The long grooves on the bottom of their body distinguish them along with the impressive length of their pectoral fins, reaching 8 feet (2.4 meters) long each. As they swim, they do not have a hump present. As they come to the surface to breathe, their balloon-shaped plumes can be seen from a great distance. Then, as they go to swim to the depths of the ocean once more, they will arch their back, creating a hump appearance before disappearing into the deep.
Habitat: Humpback whales live in all oceans. Some will migrate along the west coast to warmer waters, but some live happily all year long in their sea territories. While they are not apex predators, they will still hunt small species, especially near the ocean surface, providing eager watchers a chance to see their displays along the Olympic coasts as they migrate.
Diet: Humpback whales are baleen whales, meaning that they have long baleen strainers in their mouths that help them to capture and filter prey such as krill and small fish. Being animals that can weigh up to 40 tons (4,000 kg), they must eat much of their day. They consume up to 3,000 pounds of food per day! In order to do so, they often “round up” their prey through swimming maneuvers and using bubbles to cluster prey and hide themselves. Just as you may have a different way of walking or dancing, the hunting behaviors and techniques vary by whale, region, and food availability.
Role in the Ecosystem: Humpback whales are especially sought after by whale watchers! Their size and beauty attract many, but people love to stay and watch them as they play and display along the water’s surface. They are known to breach and slap the water with their large tails and long fins quite regularly. Below the surface, the whales’ influence is as big as their physical presence. While they feed on small organisms, their songs can be heard throughout the cool ocean waters. Even after death, these massive creatures play a role as they provide food for a wide variety of other organisms from sea scavengers to land animals that come to feast for weeks or even years on such a large treat. Their numbers have fallen in the past but have started to recover thanks to efforts of people realizing their importance and influence in a healthy ecosystem
Fun Fact: Their Latin name means “big wing of New England” due to their extremely long pectoral fins (on their sides) that can reach up to 16 feet (m) long!
