Humpback whales are extraordinary. That much is undeniable. They never fail to leave you in jaw dropping awe, whether they are launching their 30 tonne bodies into the air like torpedoes or gliding beneath the surface with astonishing grace. But the history of humpbacks hasn’t always been a smooth one. Humpbacks were once hunted to near extinction, with only around 10,000 left by the early 1990s. However, thanks to an incredible global effort, the International Whaling Commission banned commercial humpback whaling in 1966 and things have been looking up ever since. Global humpback populations are now estimated to be over 100,000 whales and rising! To celebrate this conservation success story, here are some humpback fun facts. They sing love songs During mating season, male humpbacks sing to attract females. This is not your average “pick your favourite tune and belt it out” karaoke contest. It is a wonderful example of cultural transmission. Much like human trends, humpback songs evolve. Each breeding season introduces a new musical “hit,” shaped by the subtle changes males make during the preceding feeding season: tweaks in rhythm, phrases, or melodies. By the time they migrate to warmer mating waters, a fresh, complex song has been written. As they travel, males cross paths and learn the song from one another. The song is passed on from West to East, spanning thousands of miles across the ocean. One rendition can last up to hours at a time. In the Cook Islands, humpbacks have even been observed swimming into shallow reefs, positioning themselves vertically with their heads among the coral. The reef acts like a natural amphitheatre, amplifying their songs for miles. With any luck, making the nearby females swoon with admiration. What's up with all the splashing? Humpbacks are famous for their aqua aerobics. They slap their
Humpback whales are extraordinary. That much is undeniable. They never fail to leave you in jaw dropping awe, whether they are launching their 30 tonne bodies into the air like torpedoes or gliding beneath the surface with astonishing grace. But the history of humpbacks hasn’t always been a smooth one. Humpbacks were once hunted to
