# Humpback Whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) Humpback whales are huge baleen whales known for their songs and breaching leaps. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Oceans worldwide. - **Also known as:** Humpbacked Rorqual, Humpbacked Whale ![Humpback Whale](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424473/objects/4394.jpg) ## Appearance The Humpback Whale has a robust dark grey to black body, often with a white underside and distinctive long, paddle-shaped pectoral fins. Its head and lower jaw are covered in knobbly bumps called tubercles, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Balaenopteridae - **Genus:** Megaptera ## Interesting facts - A baby Humpback drinks over 50 gallons of milk a day, growing incredibly fast! - Each Humpback Whale has a unique pattern on its tail fluke, like a giant fingerprint! - Humpbacks can hold their breath for up to 45 minutes, diving deep for food. - Their massive flippers can be one-third of their body length, longer than a small car! ## Special abilities - **Bubble Net Hunter:** Humpback Whales can blow a 'net' of bubbles to trap fish, a clever hunting strategy unique to some populations. - **Oceanic Songster:** Humpback Whales have complex vocalizations that can travel for miles, used for communication and attracting mates. - **Epic Migrator:** Humpback Whales can travel thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds, navigating vast ocean distances. - **Breaching Power:** Humpback Whales can launch their massive bodies almost entirely out of the water, a spectacular display for various reasons. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1200-1600 cm - **Weight:** 25000-40000 kg - **Lifespan:** 40-80 years - **Speed:** 27 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-360 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants filter huge amounts of tiny krill and small schooling fish from the ocean water. - **Primary Foods:** Krill, Copepods, Herring, Mackerel, Capelin - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Calves can be hunted. - **Symbiotic with:** Whale Barnacle (*Coronula diadema*) — Attaches to skin for transport. - **Parasitizes:** Whale Louse (*Cyamus boopis*) — Lives on skin, feeds on flakes. - **Eats:** Antarctic Krill (*Euphausia superba*) — A primary food source. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Stay well away from whales in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Humpback Whale? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Humpback Whale? 1200-1600 cm ### How much does Humpback Whale weigh? 25000-40000 kg ### How long does Humpback Whale live? 40-80 years ### How fast can Humpback Whale move? 27 km/h ### What does Humpback Whale eat? These gentle giants filter huge amounts of tiny krill and small schooling fish from the ocean water. ### Where is Humpback Whale usually found? Oceans worldwide. ### How does Humpback Whale hunt? Filter feeding ## Where to spot - [Chicken Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-ridge-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Ravenswood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ravenswood-park) — US · Nature Reserve - [Back Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/back-bay) — Massachusetts, US · Neighborhood - [Boston Public Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boston-public-garden) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Dorchester Heights](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dorchester-heights) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Juneau Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/juneau-downtown-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Humpback Whale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/humpback-whale) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Humpback Whale: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/humpback-whale)