It is believed to be the largest appendage in the animal kingdom. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the evolution of the oversized pectoral fins in humpbacks. Two theories persist. The first one suggests that with their large surface areas, these appendages might be highly useful for thermoregulation in this species, which migrates between a cold climate and a warm climate.
The second hypothesis emphasizes the manoeuvrability offered by long fins. Indeed, humpbacks have exuberant behaviours that often involve the pectoral fins, such as rolling over themselves as well as underwater loops; these behaviours are thought to be facilitated by the manoeuvrability and control offered by the pectoral fins.
Humpbacks have small, knobby-shared dorsal fins, and broad, lobed tail flukes with unique white patterns on the undersides. Humpback pectoral fins can be up to 8 feet long. With binoculars, it is also helpful to look for the tubercles on the head of the whale. Humpback whales can also be identified by their surface activities, or aerial displays. They are the most acrobatic large whale. Humpbacks will breach jump out of the water , slap their pectoral fins, tail flukes, or caudal peduncles on the surface of the water.
These behaviors are known as tail lobbing, flipper slapping, and peduncle throws. Humpback whales are making a comeback in the North Pacific and might be seen from any Whale Trail location on the Pacific Coast. The best time to spot them is spring and summer, as they migrate north from winter calving and breeding grounds to summer feeding grounds.
Humpbacks gather in great numbers each summer in Monterey Bay, attracted by schools of baitfish. Farther north, a group of at least 15 humpbacks return to feeding grounds in Johnstone Strait. Humpback whales live in all major oceans and travel great distances during their seasonal migration, the farthest migration of any mammal. In the summer months, humpbacks are in high latitude feeding grounds and in the winter migrate to their calving grounds in subtropical or tropical waters.
Head shape If the animal lifts its head out of the water the shape of the head can help you to identify the animal. Is there a beak, is the head rounded or sloping, can you see throat groves? Baleen whales like the Minke whale below have torpedo shaped heads and visible throat grooves. A range of behaviours can be used to help identify animals. Whether or not an animal breaches out of the water; how many animals were in the group; could you see a cloud of vapour blow when the animals surfaced; did the animal lift the tail fluke as it dived?
Bottlenose dolphins are very surface active, often seen breaching and leaping out of the water. Harbour porpoise display a characteristic rolling motion as they move through the water and are not surface active like many dolphin species. Humpback Whale and Blue Whale: These two whales have a beautiful lobed shaped tail fluke that is rather large compared to others. Gray Whale and Orca Whale: The gray and orca whale have smaller tail flukes that take the shape of a paddle.
Minke Whale and Fin Whale: In contrast to the others, these two typically do not have a tail fluke seen.
Many whales have very unique and distinctive behaviors that make them stand out amongst others. Make sure to keep your eye out for any of the following:. Spyhopping: Both the orca and the humpback whale share this endearing feature. When wanting to take a look at their surroundings, they will stick their heads above water. Fluking: The humpback whale, blue whale, orca, gray whale, and pacific white-sided dolphins participate in fluking. Fluking occurs when a whale arches its body to dive at a steeper angle, which results in its tail flukes appearing above water.
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