Humpback Whale Facts

Before whale restrictions were put in place worldwide during the 1960's, humpback whale populations were almost hunted to extinction. Worldwide protection status was given to whales by the international Whaling Commission in 1966. Humpback whales are listed vulnerable in NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, but slowly population numbers are increasing each year.

Humpback whales are recognizable by a large area of blubber found in-front of their dorsal fin; their bodies are dark grey or black in colour with unique patches on their belly, pectoral fins and tail flukes. Humpback whales are Baleen Whales which mean they filter water between their baleen plates; an adult will eat 2,000 - 2,500kg of plankton, fish and krill a day.

Frequently the first sign of its presence is its 'blow', a water vapour that it shoots into the air when a whale breaks the surface.

Common actions of Humpback whales include;

• spyhopping, a whale will poke its head out of the ocean to see what is happening
• Waving their long pectoral fins, body rolling & splashing their pectoral fins
• Breaching, Humpback whales launch themselves out of the water creating a wash of water as they hit the surface of the water.

Humpback whales are one of the most vocal of all whale species, and are known for their memorable 'songs'. Whales 'songs' consist of a series of wails, squeals, groan, grunts & whistles. The 'songs' can last for half an hour and carry for hundreds of kilometers.

From November to May Humpback whales live and feed in the waters of Antarctica, as the waters become too cold and food scarce Humpback whales begin their migration north during May to July to the warmer tropical waters of the Queensland coast to give birth and mate. From September to November Humpback whales travel south along the coast of Australia, returning to the cold waters of Antarctica.