Humpback whale
The humpback is a large baleen whale found in oceans around the world. It filters krill and small schooling fish from the water, often feeding in groups.
Key numbers
Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae
| Length | up to 18.3 m (60 ft)(fisheries.noaa.gov) |
|---|---|
| Weight | up to 36.3 metric tons (40 US tons)(fisheries.noaa.gov) |
| Lifespan (wild) | 80–90 years(fisheries.noaa.gov) |
| Top speed | up to 27 km/h (17 mph)(animaldiversity.org) |
| Diet | Humpbacks filter small animals from the water, mostly krill and small schooling fish, often feeding together in coordinated groups.(fisheries.noaa.gov) |
| Habitat | Ocean: Found in all the world's major oceans; some populations migrate up to about 8,000 km between feeding and breeding areas.(fisheries.noaa.gov) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern(animaldiversity.org) |
Our full humpback whale profile is on the way. Meanwhile, see it next to a person, to scale.