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Hawaii
National Marine Sanctuary |
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The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale
National Marine Sanctuary
Whales in the Hawaiian Waters |
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Throughout the year there are many types of whales that visit the Hawaiian waters, but by far the most impressive in numbers are the Humpback whales that come here during the winter season.
Humpback whales are easy to identify with their grayish-black color and mottled white, extremely long pectoral flippers (about one third of the length of their body). The underside of their tail flukes are distinctive to the individual, ranging in color from all white to patterns to all black. Researches use these colorations as "fingerprints" for the whales and identify them through a track record of photographs.
The humpback's name derives from the high arch of their backs when they dive.
Female Whales are Usually Larger
A mature humpback whale measures around 44 feet long. Females are usually larger than the males. They can weigh up to a ton per foot, or nearly 40 tons when fully mature.
And it is estimated that the average life span of Humpback Whales is 30 to 40 years.
The oldest known humpback whale was 48 years old and the largest was 88ft long. But nobody really knows for sure how old and big they can grow.
Canaries Of The Sea
Humpback whales are famous for their acrobatic displays and their song. They have been called "canaries of the sea" for the intricate songs they create.
Their exuberant antics include full body breaches, tail slaps, spy hopping, head butting and shaking and various postures that serve to impress the females, attract desirable suitors or scare away the undesirable ones.
The "song" of the humpback is made up of complex vocal patterns that change from one breeding season to the next, but it is the same for all the animals in a given area.
Scientist believe only male humpbacks sing. The purpose is not known.
Whales Are Warm Blooded Mammals
Whales are part of the Cetacean family, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. These animals are not fish, but air-breathing, warm-blooded mammals that nurse their young. There are many species of cetaceans (83 to be exact), which range from the small four foot Hectors Dolphin to the awe-inspiring Blue Whale (at 100 feet, the largest animal ever to live).
Toothed and Baleen Whales
The two types of whales include odontocetes (toothed whales) and mysticetes (baleen whales). The toothed whales include sperm whales, killer whales, beaked whales, and all porpoises and dolphins. Most toothed whale species feed on food such as fish and squid. However, they can also prey on whales, seals sea lions and small dolphins.
Humpback whales belong to the baleen whale suborder.
Baleen whales consume large quantities of both food and water, and then "strain" the food out through their baleen, which is like a filter in their mouth. The result is the whale catching thousands of small fish and krill. Other examples of baleen whales include the blue whale and gray whale. Nearly all of the baleen whales migrate to warmer tropical waters to breed and give birth.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
The Hawaiian Islands and the surrounding warm waters are one of the world's most important protected areas for humpback whales. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary includes a series of five protected areas surrounding the main islands, totaling about 1,400 square miles. It is the only national marine sanctuary dedicated to whales and their habitat.
Most of the North Pacific population of humpbacks migrates to Hawaii each winter to breed, give birth and nurse their young. During this time they rarely feed, but use up their stored fat they accumulated while feeding in their summer home in rich Alaskan waters. They can loose up to 15 tons of body fat while they are here in Hawaii.
Tropical waters are nutrient-poor and don't support the type of food humpbacks need.
Humpback mothers are very nurturing and protective and will stay in close contact with their calves while in the breeding grounds. They stay here long enough to wait for new borns to be strong enough to make the journey back to the feeding grounds in Alaska.
They usually have one calf every two or three years.
They have a gestation period of 11 1/2 months. The young grow quickly, doubling their size within the first year. Mother has to come up with 100 lbs of milk each day. At birth calves are 13 ft. long and weigh two tons. After about 7 months they get weaned from their mother.
They reach adulthood at age four to eight.
Whale Population Estimates
The North Pacific Population is estimated at 6000 – 10,000 whales.
It is estimated that a significant portion of this group come to Hawaii each year. Other members may also travel to Mexico and Central America, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
While in Hawaii the Humpback whales are fiercely protected, they are by no means safe from being an endangered species, as some countries still allow the hunting of whales.
The world-wide population of humpback whales has been reduced from 2 million animals to about 35 thousand. It is up to us to make sure these magnificent animals survive.
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Marine Sanctuary