The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus Megaptera. Adults range in length from 14-17 m (46-56 ft) and weigh up to 40 metric tons (44 short tons).
The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head. It is known for. Humpback whales are magnificent marine mammals.
Understanding their physical characteristics, including their distinctive coloration, provides insight into their adaptations for life in the marine environment. Understanding Humpback Whale Color Humpback whales are primarily dark on their dorsal, or upper, side, appearing black or dark gray. Humpback whale, a baleen whale known for its elaborate courtship songs and displays.
They usually range from 12 to 16 meters in length and weigh about 36 metric tons. The body is black on the upper surface, with a variable amount of white below, and it has about 30 broad ventral grooves on the throat and chest. Variations in humpback whale tail fluke pigmentation (Rosenbaum et al.
1995) Humpback whales have unique patterning on their tail flukes, and many of the eastern Australian humpbacks have pale flukes with occasional 'dot' markings. Photos: Hayley Charlton-Howard Humpback whales can also show a variety of dorsal fin shapes for identification! The bottom of a humpback whale's tail is like a fingerprint - unique to each individual. We can use color (black or white), barnacle scars (that appear as tiny circles), orca rake marks (actual bites from predators!), scars and scratches, and even injuries to identify individuals.
We predominantly look at the bottom of a whale's tail. However, you can also look at the dorsal fin or other body. Learn about the variety of colors and shades among different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise.
The humpback whale is usually dark gray or black with white patches, but Migaloo, an albino humpback, is the only documented case of a white humpback. The humpback whale is one of the rorquals, a family that also includes the blue whale, fin whale, Bryde's whale, sei whale, and minke whale. Rorquals have two characteristics in common: dorsal fins on their backs, and ventral pleats running from the tip of the lower jaw back to the belly area.
The shape and color pattern on the humpback whale's dorsal fin and flukes (tail) are as individual in. Humpback whales are a charcoal gray color, with a dark bluish hue in some light. They have a white underbelly.
Name: Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Length: 12-19 metres Weight: 36,000 kg Location: Worldwide Conservation status: Least Concern Diet: Krill, other plankton, small fish Appearance: Black or gray, lighter on undersides. How do Humpback Whales feed? Humpback Whales belong to the family of baleen wheels, which have a series of curtain.