Home › Mammalia › Balaenopteridae › Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
SPECIES PROFILE
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Megaptera
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Worldwide
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Coastal waters
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Cetacea
FAMILY
Balaenopteridae
GENUS
Megaptera
📋 Description
SIZE
12-16 m body, 25-40 tonnes
COLORATION
Black with white flippers
ADAPTATIONS
Long flippers, acrobatic
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Coastal waters
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Worldwide
REPRODUCTION
1 calf every 2-3 years
DIET DETAILS
Krill, fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Entanglement, noise pollution
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Humpback whales have the longest flippers and sing complex songs. They breach spectacularly.
2
They have made a remarkable recovery after whaling bans.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Andenes Norway
Husavik Iceland
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Summer
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Famous for breaching; common on whale-watching.
