HUMPBACK WHALE

QUICK FACTS
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae 
Megaptera means “big-winged.”

WEIGHT
Up to 40 Tons

LIFE SPAN
About 80 to 90 years

THREATS
Entanglement in fishing gear, Vessel strikes, Vessel-based harassment

REGION
Alaska, New England/Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Islands, Southeast, West Coast, Foreign

PROTECTED STATUS
ESA Endangered

ESA ENDANGERED
Central America DPS

ESA ENDANGERED
Western North Pacific DPS

ESA ENDANGERED – FOREIGN
Arabian Sea DPS

About The Species

Before a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1985, all populations of humpback whales were greatly reduced, some by more than 95 percent. The species is increasing in abundance in much of its range, but faces threats from entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, vessel-based harassment, underwater noise, and habitat impacts.

Humpback whales live in oceans around the world. They travel incredible distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, productive feeding grounds. Humpback whales feed on krill (small shrimp-like crustaceans) and small fishes by straining huge volumes of ocean water through their baleen plates.

The humpback whale takes its common name from the distinctive hump on its back. Its long pectoral fins inspired its scientific name, Megaptera, which means “big-winged.” Humpback whales are a favorite of whale watchers―they are often active at the water surface, for example, jumping out of the water and slapping the surface with their pectoral fins or tails.