1. The Humpback Whale’s scientific name is Megaptera Novaeangliae, which means “big-winged New Englander”. The New England population of Humpback Whales were the best known population to Europeans at the time of cataloging the species. Their long pectoral fins, which can reach lengths of 15 feet, allow them greater maneuverability, including the ability to swim backwards.

2. Humpbacks are generally dark gray or black in color with patches of white on their bottom side and knobs, known as tubercles, covering their heads. These tubercles are essentially over-sized hair follicles which some scientists believe are a kind of sensory array.

3. An adult Humpback Whale can reach a length of 40 to 50 feet and weigh as much as 44 tons (roughly the weight of 7 African Elephants!).

4. Humpbacks are one of the furthest migrating species in the world, traveling as far as 16,000 miles.

5. Female Humpbacks have a gestation period of 11 to 12 months and generally only bear a calf once every 2 to 3 years.

6. Calves can take in as much as 600 liters of milk per day from their mother. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly 160 gallons!

7. Humpback Whales have been observed hunting in groups of 15 or more. One of their hunting techniques is known as “bubble net fishing“, in which they will encircle their prey (a school of fish, for instance) and blowing bubbles in order to herd the prey into a ball.

8. Scientists still do not fully understand why Humpback Whales breach (as seen in the image above). Some theories suggest that breaching may be attributed to mating habits, territorial disputes, as a way to clean parasites off their bodies, or possibly just to have fun.

9. There is an estimated 80,000 Humpbacks world-wide today. It is estimated that 90% of the Humpback population was eliminated during the whaling era.

10. Along with Gray Whales, Humpbacks are recorded to be the most frequently entangled whale in fishing gear.