Humpback whale fluke by Kai Müller

About "Humpback whale fluke"

by Kai Müller

About the artwork

Male humpback whales sing the longest and most complex song of any animal!
They consist of a sophisticated sequence of whistles and squeaks as well as deep, sonorous calls. Humpback whale migrations are among the longest in the animal kingdom. They have the longest pectoral fins of any whale and dolphin species, up to 15 feet (4.6 m) in length.

What do humpback whales look like?
This species is easily recognized by its enormous size, humped head and five meter long pectoral fins. Atlantic humpbacks have predominantly white pectoral fins, while Pacific individuals have a darker upper surface. In general, the southern hemisphere humpback whales are lighter drawn on the flanks. The bumps on the head, also called tubercles, each contain a hair follicle that can be used for sensory perception, similar to a cat's whiskers. The caudal fin distinguishes the humpback whale from all other whales. Their black and white markings and the wavy trailing edge are individually as unique as human fingerprints - experts can therefore individually recognize thousands of humpback whales around the world. Because the fluke is lifted out of the water as it descends, scientists can keep up to date with the migrations of individual humpback whales.

What is your everyday life like?
Humpback whales can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, but during their migrations they travel more leisurely, pausing and socializing. Humpback whales travel long distances, with each population following its own route. They generally spend the winter in the warm, tropical waters near the equator, where they also give birth to their young. From spring to autumn they seek out their feeding grounds in the cooler waters closer to the poles. The humpback whales, which forage in the waters of the Antarctic and give birth to their calves off Colombia and Panama, cover the longest known migration distance of any mammal. There are dangers lurking along the long road, such as whaling ships and fishing nets that can entangle them.