The Humpback Whale Is a Rare Conservation Success Story

by Chelsea Zheng, age 9

Did you know that humpback whales are bigger than a regular school bus? Humpback whales got their common name from the small hump that is visible on their dorsal fin. However, the Latin name for these giant creatures is Megaptera novaeangliae which roughly translates to “big wing of New England.” This name originates from European whalers first encountering whales off the coast of New England.

Humpback whales are mammals and omnivores. This means that they have a diet of plants and meat. When it comes to communication, Humpbacks make intriguing noises at distinct frequencies called songs. Scientists are studying these noises to understand their meaning. It is difficult to decipher these songs since they can last as long as a few minutes to a couple of hours and each song is distinct from the other. It is believed that their singing is meant to attract mates.

Due to their large tail fin, known as a fluke, humpback whales are strong swimmers who drive themselves through the water and out of it. Humpback whales are known for their spectacular jumps, which lift their entire back torso and tail out of the water, twist, and smack their body onto the water's surface. These magnificent leaps are called “breaches.” Scientists aren’t quite sure why whales breach, it’s believed that whales do this might do it to clean their skin or just do it for amusement.

Before the 1985 restriction on commercial whaling, humpback whale populations were drastically decreasing. Fortunately, several humpback population groups have subsequently recovered. However, collisions with large ships and entanglement in fishing gear are the two most significant threats to humpback whales today. Whales are such interesting and unique ocean animals that deserve to be kept safe for them to have a better future.

[Source: National Geographic ]