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Order : CETARTIODACTYLA
Infraorder : Cetacea
Family : Balaenopteridae
Species : Megaptera novaeangliae
Total Length : up to
16m
Weight : up to 36,000 kg
The magnificent Humpback
Whale is a largely oceanic species, rarely seen in the shallow seas of
Southeast Asia. Breeding populations occur, however, in the northern parts
of the Indian Ocean and, in recent years, studies have confirmed a breeding
and calving area in the Babuyan Islands, in the north of the Philippines.
Whales from the latter area migrate to the rich feeding grounds of the
northern polar region during summer.
Humpbacks are baleen
whales, reaching 16 metres in length and weighing up to 36 metric tonnes.
Baleen, or 'whalebone', are filters arranged in a series of thin plates :
huge mouthfuls of water are expelled through the baleen plates when the
tongue is raised to divert the water to the sides of the mouth. In this
manner, small invertebrates, such as krill or prawns, or larger vertebrates,
such as anchovies or sardines are filtered. Larger fish are not eaten.
Humpbacks are also known
as 'rorqual' whales which refers to the longitudinal grooves which extend
from the mouth to the belly. This adaptation allows the throat to distend
greatly as the whale feeds.
Southern hemisphere
populations of the species, as shown in these images, have a greater amount
of white on the belly and underneath the tail, while northern populations in
Asia are more black. The long pectoral fins are the key identifying feature
of the species.
The Humpback Whale is
renowned for its acrobatic displays, frequently breaching (i.e. launching
itself vertically from the sea) and often tail slapping. Brought to the
brink of extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by the whaling
industry, the species is now a favourite of whale-watching tours in more
enlightened countries.
Figs 1 to 4 : Images of the Southern Humpback Whale off the eastern coast of Australia.
References :
Payne, J., Francis, C.M., 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of
Borneo. The Sabah Society.
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