The Amazing Humpback Whales.By Jorden Rowley

Contents

Introduction 3

Threats 4

Diet 5

Adaptions 6

Appearance 7

Life cycle 8 Habitat 10

Conclusion 11

Glossary 12

References 13Introduction

There are many whales in the world. This report is about the Humpback whale. They are loving and the most playful whales, known for their magical songs. If you want to know more keep on reading about the Humpback whale.

Threats

Humpback whales have lots of threats. One of them is fishing nets. If they get trapped, it’s not

likely to escaped and they drown because they can't come up to the surface to breath!

Another major threat to Humpback whales is whaling. It was very common in the past because they used it for lots of things, like the meat was very cheap food that lots of people eat and the blubber for lamp oil, candles, soap, crayons, margarine and makeup.

Killer whales and Sharks also eat Humpback whales.

DietHumpback whales eat small but lots of fish

like Krill. Krill is really little fish that’s red. Humpback whales only eat small things because their throats are very narrow. Other things they

eat are Mackerel, Capelin, Sardines, Herring, Scad, Small Salmon and Cod.

Adaptions

Humpbacks are slow so they wouldn't be able to catch their prey, so they are adapted to eat on small fish. Not like other whales, Humpback whales have teeth instead of baleen. Their teeth feels like our finger nails that are covered in hair.

The hair hangs down it’s mouth to create a filter. The filter gets the fish out of the and into it’s mouth to feed on, like the whale in finding Nemo. Animals that eat like the Humpback whale are called filter feeders.

Whales are so big! Another adaption for Humpbacks is being large, so they can keep warm. Whales grow large because there are lots of fish to eat in the sea and the water supports them. Even Humpback whales flippers can grow 5 metres long.

Appearance

A Humpback whale can grow 18 metres long and can weigh 30 tonnes. Lots of Humpback whales are navy blue and are creamy or white underneath.

They don't have a hump, but slightly humped dorsal fins. They get their name

because when Humpbacks dive they curve their bodies, making them look rounded. Humpback whales do have lumps called tubercles on their snouts and flippers.

Life cycle

The life cycle of an animal is from birth to death. First Humpbacks look for a mate in yearly visit in warm waters, like Hawaii. Then get in big groups so males & females find each other and get together.

In breeding season, the male Humpbacks sing their famous songs. The males jostle and fight over each other and shoving to get close to the female they want to mate with. Mating battles can some times be deadly!!!

Soon after mating, Humpbacks go back to their cooler feeding areas. The time a female is pregnant is nearly a year. That means the calf will be born the following year.

When calves are born their tail goes out first, so that they don't need to breath while the mother is giving birth. As soon as its born the calf goes to the surface for its first breath, the mother nuzzles her calf to help it get up to the surface. The Humpback baby then feeds on the creamy rich milk. The milk is thick and full of fat, which helps

to build layers of blubber. Most of females have a calf every 2 or 3 years of its life!

When its a calves first year, it stays close to its mother, swimming above her to be safe from predators. The mother shows the baby where to find food and eats krill, some small fish and drinks the mothers milk.

Humpback whales are at risk from killer whales and sharks. The calf and mother work together to survive and separate. The calf will swim away while the mother attacks, some times they are lucky and survive otherwise not. The whales would have teeth marks and scars for the rest of their lives. This could happen any time.

Calves begin migrating when they are still young, travelling with their mother to the places to feed them for a year, the calf will still be with its mother or big and strong enough to go on its own. Then the life cycle goes on and on.

HabitatHumpback whales live in all of the seas like

the Artic and the warm tropical waters. Humpbacks do something called migration. It's when they move from one place to another in big groups called pods. If a Humpback is feeding or looking for a mate they go to warm waters. Humpback whales can swim in deeper waters but, mainly if going on long journeys. Wherever they are Humpbacks come up to breath.

Conclusion

I hope you have learnt a lot about Humpback whales. You can help Humpbacks by:

- Never ever drop rubbish on the beach or in the sea

- If you see a beached whale keep cool water on it and dig around so its easer for the tide to carry the whale back in

The best way is not to hunt them.

Glossary

Breeding season: the time a Humpback whale is pregnant

Calf: a baby whale

Whaling: hunting whales

Krill: A small red fish. The main type of food humpwhales eat.

Migration: When whales move from one habitat to another

References/Bibliography

Websites:

www.Enchantedlearning.comwww.factzoo.com

Books:

Humpback whales by Anna Claybourne