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On a good day, whales can be seen along the coastline, which gives us a good idea of their large size. They leap out of the water, making spectacular spins and slap their tails, which can be so fascinating that they make us forget their purpose. All those spectacular performances are part of an intense struggle to earn the right to mate; the reason these whales visit the bay. There are few females available, and their many suitors fight tooth and nail to show the females they are the strongest, regardless of the time and energy it takes.
Are These Whales Mexicans or Foreigners?
The majority of the whales, that come to the bay during the winter, were born here, which makes them officially Mexican. Nonetheless, they do not recognize borders and spend the majority of their time feeding off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and Alaska. The females can spend several months here, but the majority enter and leave the bay within several weeks. We can observe them during the months of November through March, when the water is colder.
Why Are They Called “Humpback”?
Despite their popular name, humpback whales do not have a hump at all. Their name comes from the way they submerge after coming up for air, arching their bodies to obtain the necessary power and then submerging quickly. This process ends with a show of their enormous tails, which can measure up to five meters wide. Another interesting characteristic is the length of their pectoral fins, which are the largest of all whale species, reaching five meters in length. This characteristic provides their scientific name, Megaptera novaengliae, which translates to “large fins from England” (where they were classified for the first time).
Do Whales Sing?
The whales’ vocalizations are considered the most complex in the animal kingdom, formed by patterns of notes that vary in amplitude and frequency, repeating coherent sequences. The sounds these whales produce is so strong that is has been estimated to travel through water hundreds and even thousands of kilometers, according to some researchers. A whale can sing non-stop for hours, repeating the same song time and time again. It’s worth mentioning that only the males sing, which is a way to warn off their adversaries.
Why Do Whales Jump?
These leaps are considered the maximum demonstration of power, showing how healthy and strong they are, but they are also a type of game (especially among mothers and offspring). This behavior also helps eliminate dead skin and parasites.
What Can I Expect from a Whale Watching Expedition?
You must not forget that these are wild animals, so it’s impossible to estimate how many whales you may see, or when. You should be prepared to see them when they come up for air (usually every five to eight minutes), and they may or may not be active on the surface. When they swim in groups of more than three, they tend to be “competitive groups,” meaning that the males are competing for the females in the group.
Try to listen for their breathing; this reminds us that they are mammals like us. When they come up, try to admire their faces, their fins and the large differences in their tails. Also try to look for scars along their bodies, evidence of fighting.
The best advice is not to worry too much about understanding these whales; but rather to just enjoy their performance and experience the emotions caused by watching one of the largest and most magnificent animals on the planet.
By Biologist Oscar Aranda Mena
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