Get ready, gang – it’s time to meet one of the world’s most famous sea creatures, the humpback whale! Learn about their songs, diet and more with these humpback whale facts…

Fast Facts
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 48 to 62.5 ft (14.6 to 19 m)
Weight: 40 tons (36 metric tons)
Group name: Pod
Protection status: Least Concern

A humpback whale leaps from the ocean's surface!
A humpback whale leaps from the ocean’s surface!

Humpbacks are known for singing loud, complex “songs” – lasting up to 30 minutes long! The sounds they make are the most varied in the animal kingdom, ranging from high-pitched squeals and whistles to low, rumbling gurgles. Only males “sing” and experts think they do it to attract females or to let other males know they’re in the area.

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These whales are found near coastlines, feeding on tiny, shrimplike krill, plankton and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator.

humpback whales facts
A humpback whale’s tail (or fluke) rises from the water

Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appear to be gestures of affection. Females nurse their calves for almost a year, though it takes far longer than that for a humpback whale to reach full adulthood. Calves do not stop growing until they are ten years old.

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Humpbacks are powerful swimmers, and they use their massive tail fin, called a fluke, to propel themselves through the water and sometimes completely out of it. These whales, like others, regularly “breach“. This is when the whales leap from the water before landing with a tremendous splash. Scientists aren’t sure if this breaching behaviour serves some purpose, such as cleaning pests from the whale’s skin, or whether whales simply do it for fun!

What do you think of these humpback whale facts? Let us know in the comments!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: Humpback Whale Close-up, Sue Flood. Humpack whale breaching, (83398407) . Humpback whale tail, (139552103) 
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COMMENTS

  • Marcus

    This helped a lot in my school project! Thank you!

  • Savannah

    they are so cool to learn about!!

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  • Sean

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  • Max

    I had no idea that humpback whales could sing songs lasting 30 minutes

  • Sophie

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    this is interesting and helpful for the same time. I can these facts to do my project and at the same time I can get to know about the humpback whales. I'm excited learn more!!!!!!!!

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    Good but you need to give simple informations

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    Let's take action!

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    I saw a humpback whale while whale watching and it did a full turn in the air

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    dident read or look at a bit of it its just boring boring boring i only whent to it for the song and couldent find it i whanted to go to facts about tornados any way if you were wondering realy is Hope in real life not kidding!

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    Most interesting facts ever!!!????????

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    Can you add an orca page? I cant find it :(

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    Wow, cool!

  • Rowan Cooke

    Wow, cool!

  • bradywilson

    a type of whale should be called awesomeness

  • 13andstillcrazyaboutanimals2

    My great-grandad once got swallowed by a humpback whale and he lived to tell the tale! #dejavuorwhat! I dunno if he was kidding though :))

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    i like you comics

  • 1234parroy

    Cool work hey heres a fact you havent got . Their breeding songs last up to 30 minutes to attract a female or mate by whistling.

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    Whales are such incredible mammals! This really made my day, Thanks a Bunch, Sally and peeps xxx

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    epic

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    there are so much good facts about dolphins;)

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    Pretty fascinating arent they mate?

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    good

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    good

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    I think that whales are very harmless

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    amzing

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    I think whales are beautiful

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    I love whales!

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    This my favourite bit of my mag I would rate it As 100 out of 100 Thank you for writing this mag and giving it too children From Lola

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