Among the most amazing animals in the water are the baleen whale family’s member, the humpback whale. Found almost everywhere, these amazing mammals travel to tropical or subtropical seas for breeding. Though most of their time is spent under the surface, for those who are fortunate enough to come across these amazing creatures, sightings are a rare and fascinating gift – click this link!

Whether your viewing from the Alaskan Panhandle, the coast of Western Australia, or the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, a dedicated whale watching cruise provides the best opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. Understanding a little about the physical characteristics and actions of the humpback whale will assist one to really value the encounter.

Specialities of the Humpback Whale

Like other baleen whales, the humpback whale has no teeth; its scientific name is *Megaptera novaeangliae*. Rather, it boasts up to 400 overlapping baleen plates fastened to its upper jaw. Made of keratin, these plates serve as a natural filtration system enabling the whale to ingest tiny animals such mackerel, herring, and krill. The humpback consumes enormous volumes of water, then drives it through the plates, trapping the food behind to be consumed.

Like people have unique fingerprints, every humpback whale has different markings on its dorsal fin and tail (called flukes). These natural markers have made it possible for scientists to monitor and investigate individual whales all around, therefore supporting significant studies on population counts, migration patterns, breeding behavior, and feeding preferences.

One of the most exciting activities a humpback performs is acrobatic breaching. This is the moment the whale leaps out of the sea only to smash back down with an amazing splash. Although experts are not clear exactly why they do this, it is hypothesised that breaching could either be a means of enjoyment or aid the whale eliminate parasites. Whatever the reason, seeing a humpback breach is an amazing event that will last long after the encounter.

Male humpbacks are well-known for their eerie underwater songs, which they may maintain for hours at once. Although some scientists speculate these songs may possibly be a means of communication, even acting as a warning system, they are thought to be related to mating activity. One can hear these songs up to twenty miles distant. Fascinatingly, every man in a given demographic sing the same song, usually harmonizing with each other even when they live apart. Still, the songs varies depending on the people in a certain area worldwide.

Travel and Cooperative Hunting: Usually traveling either alone or in tiny pods of two to three individuals, humpback whales When they do meet, they use cooperative hunting methods including bubble net feeding. Using a curtain of bubbles surrounding a school of fish, this unusual approach drives them up to the surface in great numbers so the whales may feast on hundreds of fish in one gulp.

Coming onto the humpback whale on a cruise for whale watching

A whale watching cruise is the best approach for those who enjoy animals to see it close-up. Seeing humpback whales in their natural habitat presents an exciting and fascinating journey.

If you can’t attend a whale viewing cruise, you may still enjoy the majesty of humpback whales via amazing video seen in Sir David Attenborough’s documentary series *Blue Planet II*, which highlights their amazing feeding and breaching actions.

Whale watching offers an opportunity to engage with the beauties of the natural world and enjoy the amazing acrobatics and sings of the humpback whale, not only a pastime.