white humpback whale
On 28th June, 1991, an all-white humpback whale was photographed passing Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly point. [1]
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the baleen whale most frequently seen swimming or feeding close to shore along the southern coast of Alaska. [2]
Migaloo is the only known all-white humpback whale in the world. [3]
Humpback whales feed on krill, small shrimp-like crustaceans, and various kinds of small fish. [4]
A genetic fingerprint for Migaloo was also obtained, allowing researchers to check for relatives of Migaloo amongst the other whales they have samples from, as well as to check whether Migaloo is the father if they obtain skin from a calf. [1]
General description: Humpback whales are distinguished from other whales by the extremely long flippers which may reach 25 to 30 percent of the length of the entire animal. [2]
Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres each year. [3]
As the mouth closes water is expelled through the baleen plates, which trap the food on the inside near the tongue to be swallowed. [4]
One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12′16 metres (40′50 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). [3]
Although humpbacks may be seen at any time of year in Alaska, most animals undertake long distance migrations during the fall to temperate or tropical wintering areas where reproduction occurs and the young are born. [2]
This website is about raising awareness on humpback whales in particular Migaloo the white whale. [1]
When beginning to dive, animals often lift their flukes (tail) out of the water thereby exposing the pattern of black and white which characterizes the ventral side. [2]
Its flippers are very long, between 1/4 and 1/3 the length of its body, and have large knobs on the leading edge. [4]
Adults may reach a length of 55 feet (16.7 m) although the average adult length for west coast animals taken during the days of whaling was 42 feet (12.7 m) for females and 40.5 feet (12.3 m) for males. [2]
Adult males measure 40-48 feet (12.2-14.6 m), adult females measure 45-50 feet (13.7-15.2 m). [4]
Sources:
[1] “MIGALOO” The White Whale. Updated Sightings 2009
[2] Humpback Whale: Wildlife Notebook Series - Alaska Department of Fish …
[3] Humpback Whale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[4] Humpback Whale Fact Sheet