Humpback Whales

Humpback whales are known for their amazing songs and acrobatic jumps. They can grow up to 60 feet long. Humpbacks migrate thousands of miles between cold feeding waters and warm breeding waters. Their long flippers can be up to 16 feet each.

Whale Songs

Male humpback whales sing long, complex songs that can last for hours. The songs can be heard underwater from 20 miles away. All the males in one area sing the same song. The song changes slowly over the years, and all the whales learn the new version.

Breaching and Feeding

Humpbacks are famous for breaching, when they leap almost entirely out of the water. They also use a clever trick called bubble net feeding. A group of whales blows bubbles in a circle to trap fish. Then they swim up through the middle with their mouths wide open.

Fun Facts

• A humpback whale's song can last up to 20 hours.
• Humpbacks migrate up to 16,000 miles round trip each year.
• Each humpback whale has a unique pattern on the underside of its tail.

Did You Know?

Humpback whales have bumps on their heads called tubercles. Each bump has a hair inside it that helps the whale sense movement in the water!