Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

This whale is the favorite of whale watchers because its tail and back come out of the water as it swims and dives. They also "breach" (jump clear of the water) and sometimes wave their front flippers in the air. They are quite common in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and have beautiful haunting songs.

Look For : A large whale with very long white flippers. Body is black on top, white on the bottom. Usually covered with barnacles, bumps, and knobs, especially on the head.

Length : Body up to 50' long; up to 60,000 lb.

Habitat : Deep coastal waters.

Range : In Atlantic from Iceland and Greenland south to West Indies, including Gulf of Mexico. In Pacific from Bering Sea, Alaska, to southern Mexico.