All About Whales
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
 Humpbacks continue to receive the protection of being an endangered species and are estimated to have a worldwide population of 35,000 with as many as 5,000 of these in the Northwest Atlantic. Of all the large whale species, they tend to be the most animated and acrobatic, often lying on their sides and slapping their huge flippers on the water or occasionally executing spectacular breaches. Most whale songs heard are the beautiful vocalizations of the humpback whale. While other whale species communicate with sound, the humpback is the only one to sing long, complex songs during the breeding season. Click here to listen to the songs of Humpback whales.
Mature humpback whale adults often weigh 45 tons and reach lengths of up to 56 feet. They have robust bodies with slim heads and are generally black or dark gray in color with varying white regions on their throat and belly. Their flippers are large, nearly 1/3 their body length and generally white on the bottom and sometimes on top. Humpback whales are individually identified by the unique patterns of black and white on the underside of their flukes or tails. Their diet consists mainly of small schooling fish and krill which they encircle and create a "bubble net" before charging through with mouths agape. This unusual feeding technique is called bubble feeding. Females produce a single calf about every 2 years during maturity. Humpbacks have an average live span of, probably up to 50 years.
Finback Whales (Balaenoptera physalus)
 Finbacks can be found worldwide but are separated into three distinct populations by location: the North Atlantic, North Pacific and southern oceans. Finback whales are listed on the Endangered Species list. There is no reliable data, but the North Atlantic population is estimated to be about 20,000. Those found in the Gulf of Maine are often solitary but are also seen in groups of up to 4-5. Because they emit loud, low frequency sounds it is believed they are able to maintain contact with each other over vast distances. Finback whales are the second largest species of the great whales, second only to blue whales. Full grown adults can weigh approximately 130 tons and reach lengths of up to 89 feet. They have long thin bodies with a tall, erect dorsal fin and are primarily light gray to brownish-black in color. Finbacks have a distinctive V-shaped head with a lower jaw which is white on one side and gray-black on the other. Their diet consists of herring, krill, sand lance, squid and other schooling fish. Finback whales are known to consume up to 2 tons of food per day. Evidence suggests that calves are born during the winter months and females produce a single calf every 2-5 years during maturity. It is believed that finbacks may have long lives and live up to 100 years.
Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
 Minke Whales are found throughout the world from tropical to polar waters. They appear curious and are known for a tendency to approach boats. Minke whales are separated into three distinct populations based upon geographic location: the North Atlantic, North Pacific and southern hemisphere. There is no reliable data regarding Minke populations, yet research suggests worldwide populations in excess of 1 million. Their sleek, pointed shape and relative smallness makes them fast efficient swimmers. Minke whales are the smallest of the rorqual whales and tend to be black, brown or gray on their backs and lighter underneath. Mature adults generally reach lengths of 25-35 feet and weigh from 5 to 10 tons. They have slender streamlined bodies with a narrow pointed head, small pointed flippers and a dorsal fin located far forward on their bodies. Minke whales tend to feed primarily on krill and small schooling fish but have been known to occasionally feed on larger fish such as Arctic cod, salmon and haddock. Females are believed to reproduce annually with a gestation period of 10 months. While it is thought that Minke whales generally have a lifespan of 40-50 years, many do not reach full maturity as they are preyed upon by Killer Whales.
Northern Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
 Northern Right Whales live exclusively in the northern hemisphere with the vast majority being found in the western portion of the Atlantic, off the coasts of Canada and the United States. They are the most endangered of all the great whales with a total worldwide population estimated to be less than 400, approximately 320 in the North Atlantic and fewer than 100 in the North Pacific. Their name is derived from the fact that whalers found them the "right whale" to hunt. Right Whales swim slowly and float when dead making for easy prey. They tend to be mostly black or dark gray in color with white blotches on their underside and are distinctly marked by large horny growths, known as "callosites", which grow on their head. They have rotund bodies with no dorsal fin, a large chin with strongly arched mouth line, and large broad flippers with small ridges which run down their length. Mature Right Whale adults reach lengths of up to 50 feet and can weigh 100 tons. Right Whales can be distinguished by their unique callosites which tend to be pale yellow, pink and orange in color. This species is also marked by a pair of blowholes which enable them to spout water more than 15 feet high! These large graceful animals swim slowly, yet are known to be very playful, curious and highly acrobatic. They may swim up to boats or let boats approach them. When seen, they are often breaching, rolling over & slapping their flippers and doing headstands (exposing their fluke high in the air).
Long-finned Pilot Whales (globicephala melas)
 This mammal is actually a large species of dolphin. They are generally black or dark gray in color with a white or grayish stripe behind each eye and are distinguished by a large round forehead. Their backward-leaning dorsal fin is set forward on their body. Pilot Whale adults generally reach lengths of 12-21 feet in length and weights of 2 1/2 tons. Pilot whale diets typically consist of squid and smaller fish, such as herring, mackerel, cod and pollock. Much like their smaller cousins, Pilot whales are social mammals that travel in pods often numbering as many as 100. They are curious and active, and sometimes approach boats. They are capable of diving for up to 20 minutes to depths of 1,700 feet.
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