To: Journey North
From: Anne Smrcina
Stellwagen Bank National Marine
Sanctuary
Greetings from Massachusetts --
No, the humpbacks haven't arrived yet. We're still awaiting our first sighting. Kim Beddall, founder of whale watching in the Dominican Republic and co-owner of the Victoria II, reports that there are continued sporadic sightings of mothers and calves in Samana Bay, and that an expedition to Silver Bank reported significant numbers of whales still there as of March 30.
The lack of whales here at this time isn't really a problem. They usually don't start showing up until later this month.
Here's an extra credit Challenge Question for those of you who are interested in humpback migrations. (I don't have the answer to this-- I'll let all of you solve it).
Challenge Question # 64
"If humpbacks travel at a cruising speed of 3.5-5 knots, how long will it take them to travel from Silver Bank to Stellwagen Bank?"
[Hint: You'll have to find out the distance (approximate) between the two Sanctuaries and what a knot is.]
And here's today's regular Challenge Question:
Challenge Question # 65
"We've noted that humpbacks are the acrobats among marine mammals. Why do they make these incredible breaches?"
To respond to these Challenge Questions, please follow the instructions at the end of this report
In answer to last week's question -- the humpbacks of American Samoa are presently down in the Antarctic Ocean feasting on krill and small fish. Humpbacks in the southern hemisphere move south during their summer (our winter) and north during their winter (our summer). Antarctic whales spend their winters (the months of May-November) in breeding grounds around Australia, New Zealand, Africa and South America, as well as the South Pacific islands. During these same months, northern hemisphere whales are in the rich feeding grounds of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Since the migrations of the humpbacks of the northern and southern hemispheres are 6 months apart, the whales of these groups probably don't mix or interbreed.
Here's hoping for a humpback sighting soon. Anne Smrcina
How to Respond to Challenge Questions #64 & #65:
1. Send an e-mail message to jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject line, write: Challenge Question #64 (or #65) Please do not answer both Challenge Questions in one message!
3. In the Body of your message, answer one of these questions:
Challenge Question # 64 "If humpbacks travel at a cruising speed of 3.5-5 knots, how long will it take them to travel from Silver Bank to Stellwagen Bank?"
or
Challenge Question # 65 "We've noted that humpbacks are the acrobats among marine mammals. Why do they make these incredible breaches?"
The Next Humpback Whale Migration Update Will be Posted on April 10, 1996.
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