Mammalia |
Cetartiodactyla |
Balaenopteridae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Pelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 75906); depth range 0 - 616 m (Ref. 83346). Tropical; 90°N - 90°S, 180°W - 180°E
Circumglobal. [Arabian Sea population: EN, D; Oceania population: EN, A1ad: IUCN 2010 (Ref. 84930)].
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm Max length : 1,890 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 936); max. published weight: 35.0 t (Ref. 1394)
They migrate from tropics (breeding areas) to polar or sub-polar regions, reaching the ice edges in both hemispheres (feeding areas); their migrations take them through oceanic zones (Ref. 1394). Maximum depth from Ref. 122827. Feed and breed in coastal waters, often near human population centres, and this helps make them one of the most familiar of the large whales. Feeds on krill and small schooling fish (Ref. 1394). According to a study in the Philippines, Babuyan Islands (121°36’00", 19°18’00) was verified as a breeding ground for this species, and humpback whale songs were recorded during this season. Social groups observed were lone adult, mother-calf pairs, two adults, mother-calf-escort, and a surface active mating group of 3 to 4 individuals (Ref. 77119). Adults length 1600 cm in Ref. 1394. Threats to this species are dynamite and cyanide fishing, pollution, and intrusion of foreign commercial fishing vessels (Ref. 77119), unregulated fishing activities of Taiwanese vessels, i.e. long-line and drift net fishing, and unconfirmed reports of pirate whaling (Ref. 77118). There were nine distinctive themes of humpback whale songs identified wherein 7 of which were common in the Philippines and Hawaii (Ref. 77118). Feeds and breeds in coastal waters, often near human population centres, and this helps make them one of the most familiar of the large whales. They migrate from tropics (breeding areas) to polar or sub-polar regions, reaching the ice edges in both hemispheres (feeding areas); their migrations take them through oceanic zones (Ref. 1394). They prefer warm shallow waters to breed, usually near offshore reefs, islands, or continental shores. Feeding grounds are characterized by cold, productive, shallow waters (Ref. 122680). Feeds on krill and small schooling fish (Ref. 1394). According to a study in the Philippines, Babuyan Islands (121°36’00", 19°18’00) was verified as a breeding ground for this species, and humpback whale songs were recorded during this season. Social groups observed were lone adult, mother-calf pairs, two adults, mother-calf-escort, and a surface active mating group of 3 to 4 individuals (Ref. 77119).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Babuyan Islands (121°36’00", 19°18’00"), Philippines was verified as a breeding ground for this species. During this season social groups observed were lone adult, mother-calf pairs, two adults, mother-calf-escort, and a surface active mating group of 3 to 4 individuals (Ref. 77119). Associated activities involved cows with young calves escorted by males, aggressive competitive behavior, and singing (Ref. 78067).
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood and M.A. Webber 1993 FAO species Identification Guide: Marine Mammals of the World. Rome, FAO. 320 p. + 587 figures. (Ref. 1394)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Threat to humans
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
FAO - Fisheries: landings, species profile | FishSource | Sea Around Us
Tools
More information
PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 0.2 - 10.2, mean 1.8 (based on 43796 cells).
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.25-1.96; tm=6).
Fishing Vulnerability
High vulnerability (60 of 100).
Price category
Unknown.
