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5 Humpback Whale Facts For Kids

navajocodetalkersadmin on December 15, 2014 - 12:00 pm in Fun Facts for Kids

The humpback whale is a favorite choice for those who like to watch whales in their natural habitat. They have a very unusual shape to them and a face that is very different than many other whales. They also make an interesting sound that is much like singing, which can be heard for miles around!

1. Some years ago the humpback whale was actually hunted for its blubber and the world lost about 90% of the whales that were in existence. Today there are limits on how they can be hunted but they are still very rare. Consider some interesting facts about the humpback whale and what makes it so special.

Its Shape and Size

2. It’s often easy to pick out a humpback whale because the fins it has on the front are very long, longer than most other whales. It also has a round but pointed nose and head with a very long mouth. The tail of the humpback whale is also distinct, with a wide fin that curls up around the edges and which has a very distinct notch in the middle. These back fins are all distinctive, meaning that it looks different on each whale. You can actually tell humpback whales apart by the shape, size, and coloring of their back fin.

3. An adult humpback whale usually weight around 79,000 pounds and it’s about 40 feet long. This is the equivalent of a building with four stories! Its body is covered with knobs that give it a bumpy appearance, unlike most whales that look smooth.

How They Behave

4. Both males and females of the species use sounds to communicate including grunts and groans. The males have a very distinct song that lasts about ten to twenty minutes, and they will repeat this song again and again, sometimes for a full 24 hours. Scientists don’t yet know why they use this song but some think it may be to attract females.

5. Humpback whales usually travel by themselves, although a small group may form for a short time to help each other forage for food. They also tend to stay to themselves and don’t interact with other species found in the ocean, such as dolphins. When they rise up out of the water for air, they will slap their tail onto the water as they go back down, something that whale watchers everywhere love to see!

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