Page 98 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
WorldMags.net

The incredible

journey of the

Humpback

whale

HUMPBACK WHALE These giants of the
Megaptera novaeangliae
world’s oceans make
Class Mammalia
equally massive

Territory All global oceans migrations to fi ll their
Diet Krill, plankton, small fi sh
Lifespan 45-50 years

Adult weight 40 tonnes bellies, find a suitable
Conservation status
mate and care for
their young
LEAST CONCERN

Undertaking one of the longest building up fat stores (blubber) to live
mammal migrations, humpback off during winter months. The huge
whales make spectacular annual whales filter feed on tiny crustaceans

journeys from their cold summer like krill and plankton, and small fi sh
feeding grounds, where they gorge and can eat up to 1,360 kilograms
on rich food, to warmer tropical (3,000 pounds) of food per day.
coasts in the winter, where they mate During the winter, humpbacks
and breed. congregate and engage in mating
The humpbacks’ magnifi cent activities. As polygynous creatures,
acrobatic displays and complex songs male humpbacks exhibit competitive
can be witnessed in their distinct activities on wintering grounds.
populations, that are found within all Aggressive behaviours include
oceans across the Hemispheres. chasing, tail-thrashing, body-
In summer, humpbacks spend the thrashing and a range of bubble and
majority of their time feeding and vocal displays.

“In summer, humpbacks
spend the majority of

their time feeding and
building up fat stores”

Survival stats

10,000 1,360

km
The longest recorded km/h kg
2-3
The amount a
mammal migration – a The average speed humpback can eat
© Thinkstock ventured all the way from of the returning summer, to survive
female humpback
per day during the
humpbacks and
Brazil to Madagascar.
the winter.
their calves.
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WorldMags.net
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