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The Humpback Whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae) is a mammal which belongs to the baleen whale suborder.
It is a large whale: an adult usually ranges between 12–16
m long and weighs approximately 36 tonnes. It is well known for
its breaching (leaping out of the water), its unusually long front
fins, and its complex whale song. The Humpback Whale lives in
oceans and seas around the world, and is regularly sought out
by whale-watchers.Physical description
Humpback Whales can easily be identified by their stocky bodies
with obvious humps and black upper parts. The head and lower jaw
are covered with knobs called tubercles, which are actually hair
follicles and are characteristic of the species. The tail flukes,
which are lifted high in the dive sequence, have wavy rear edges.
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The long (up
to a third of body length) black and white tail fin and pectoral
fins have unique patterns, which enable individual whales to be
recognised, in a similar way to the bill markings on Bewick's
Swans. Several hypotheses have been suggested to explain the evolution
of the Humpback's pectoral fins, proportionally the longest fins
of any cetacean. The two most enduring hypotheses are that the
higher maneuverability afforded by long fins is a significant
evolutionary advantage, or that the increased surface is useful
for temperature control when migrating between warm and cold climates.
Images 1 Though 6 Are Courtesy of the U.S.D.A.
Images 7 Through 18 Are From The N.O.A.A.
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