Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae
Population size
Life Span
77 yrs
17 km/h
25-30 t
13-16 m

The Humpback whale is among the biggest and the most easily recognized of the whale species. They are distinguished from other whales because of their large flippers, which are almost one-third the length of their body, and a hump on their backs. Their color ranges from gray to black, with white markings on their belly. These markings can be compared to fingerprints, different for every whale, and they allow researchers to identify individuals.


Humpback whales inhabit all major oceans from sub-polar latitudes to the equator. There are four global populations of Humpbacks and they do not interact with each other: North Pacific, Atlantic, Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean populations. Humpbacks live at the ocean's surface, both in shallow coastline waters and the open ocean. They migrate seasonally from the warm tropical waters where breeding and calving takes place, to feeding areas in Arctic waters.

Humpback Whale habitat map

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Typically, Humpback whales live alone or in small loose groups that can disband after a few hours. Groups may stay together longer in summer to forage and feed cooperatively. Longer-term relationships between pairs or small groups, lasting months or even years, have rarely been observed. Humpbacks sings more loudly than most other whales. Its songs can be heard over distances of several miles. The songs are sung by adult males, last up to 20 minutes and then are repeated. Every year all the male whales sing the same song. While a whale sings, it floats in the water, its head down, and it is relatively motionless. Whale’s song purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating. Humpbacks make long journeys. During migration they travel slowly, socializing and resting along the way. Each humpback population has its own migratory route. They usually spend winter in warm, low latitude or tropical waters mating and giving birth, and during the rest of the year they feed in cooler, higher latitude polar waters.

Diet and Nutrition

Humpback whales eat krill and small fish from schools such as haddock, herring, capelin, salmon, sand lance, pollock and mackerel. They feed mostly during summer, living off their fat during winter.

Mating Habits

winter in tropical waters
11.5 months
1 calf
1 year

Humpbacks are polygynous, and the males compete aggressively for mating access to females. They breed during winter in tropical waters. After gestation of 11.5 months, one calf is born. Females must feed their calves around 45 kg of milk every day for 5-7 months until weaning, and calves may remain with their mothers for as much as a year. Mothers are affectionate and protective towards their calves, swimming nearby and often touching their babies with their flippers. Male humpbacks do not give parental support for calves. Mating usually takes place once every two years, though sometimes it occurs twice within three years. These whales are sexually mature when they are 4 - 5 years old, and the birthing interval is 2 years.


Population threats

Humpbacks are vulnerable to changes of the marine environment and also are threatened by water and noise pollution and the potential changes to fish stocks due to climate change. They may be harmed by collisions with ships, overfishing and getting tangled in fishing gear. Offshore gas and oil development is also a threat to this species.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Humpback whale population size is around 60,000 animals, including estimates for specific populations: North Atlantic - around 10,752 animals; North Pacific - 18,302 animals and 36,600 whales in the southern hemisphere. The number of humpback whales is increasing today and this species is classified as Least Concern (LC).

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Whales are mammals, and so they have hair, although they have very little.
  • The Humpback whale has this name due to the shape of the dorsal fin and the way it appears when it is diving.
  • Humpbacks communicate with loud, low-pitched moans, howls and whines. They also communicate through visual cues and body language such as tail slapping, lunging and breaching the water. This type of communication shows dominance, health and youth during the mating season to demonstrate to others that they are fit, healthy, and good to mate with.
  • Humpbacks are famous for their water acrobatics. They can frequently be observed jumping out of the water, sometimes using their flukes to do so.
  • Calves can drink up to 600 liters of milk in a day, and within several months they develop a layer of blubber to help protect them from the cold.


1. Humpback Whale Wikipedia article -
2. Humpback Whale on The IUCN Red List site -

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