Humpback whales have a scientific name of Megaptera novaeangliae which means "big-winged New Englander". If you've ever seen one--in person or in a book--you will understand why it got its name.
The humpback has the largest flippers of any of the whales. Their flippers are up to 15 feet long and they are often use to slap the water. We're not sure why they do this, it may be play or communication. They have a reputation for curiosity and seem to be interested in the whale watch boats that ply the waters of Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bays.
Humpbacks also demonstrate some awesome moves -- jumping out of the water (breaching), poking their heads out (spyhopping), tail slapping, and their distinctive dives (in which they hump their backs and then show their tails). Humpbacks have a small dorsal fin and have bumps on their heads that hold hair follicles (the last signs of hair on these marine mammals).
It is estimated that about 6,000 humpbacks live in the North Atlantic There are other populations elsewhere on the globe, but the groups do not mix. The whales we see at Stellwagen Bank spend their winters in the waters around Silver Bank in the Caribbean Sea. Silver Bank is now a sanctuary of the Dominican Republic. Although they are most concentrated at Silver Bank, and Navidad Bank close by, they can also be found from the Bahamas to the Grenadines. It is here that their calves are born and mating occurs.
Whales do not eat during their stay in the Caribbean, but live off their reserves of fat called blubber. In the spring they come to the waters off Cape Cod to feed on small fish, then continue up north to the Bay of Fundy. Other whales travel to the waters off Newfoundland, as well as to Greenland and Iceland.
Humpbacks are black or gray with white markings on their throats and bellies, flippers and tails. The markings on their tails are quite distinctive and are usually used to identify individual humpbacks. They grow to about 50 feet at maturity and can weigh up to 45 tons.
Anne Smrcina Education Coordinator Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
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