Gray whales make one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal, traveling about 10,000 miles round-trip and in some cases upwards of 14,000 miles . On their migration routes they face threats from vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and other sources of disturbance.
What is the cause of the gray whale migration?
Gray whales migrate north each spring to feast and grow fat in the rich feeding waters of the Arctic . They migrate south each fall to mate and give birth in lagoons on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. ... With Journey North, you can follow the northward migration each spring on the Web.
What is the gray whales migration route?
In the fall, eastern North Pacific gray whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds, heading south along the coast of North America to spend the winter in their wintering and calving areas off the coast of Baja California, Mexico .
Are gray whales migrating now?
Today, nearly 24,000 gray whales continue their annual migration along the coast of North America , giving humans a glimpse of these majestic creatures that live in the deep.
Where are the GREY whales now?
Today, 23,000 gray whales are found only in the Pacific . The main population summers north of Alaska in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and winters in the waters of Baja California. Another population in the Pacific, found in the waters of Korea and Japan, is close to extinction with less than 50 individuals.
Are GREY whales friendly?
Gray whales are known to be very curious and inquisitive, giving them reputation of being the “friendly” whale . They often swim right up to boats and poke their heads vertically out of the water to get a better view of their surroundings in a behavior called spyhopping.
What is the lifespan of a GREY whale?
Gray whales reach sexual maturity at five to 11 years or when they reach 36-39 ft (11–12m) in length. Their life span is estimated to be 50–60 yrs.
How deep can a gray whale dive?
Gray whales are usually found in shallow waters, along the continental shelf, so they do not have to dive much deeper than 150 meters (about 500 feet) .
Why are GREY whales important?
Gray whales play an important role in the Arctic ecosystem due to their unique style of bottom-feeding . They create gigantic mud plumes that re-suspend large volumes of nutrients, which in turn enrich life on the seafloor and bring a bounty of bottom-dwelling crustaceans to the surface for seabirds to feast on.
Are GREY whales smart?
Using these measures, bottlenose dolphin and orcas (very social, toothed whales) are considered to be VERY “smart”; both have been extensively studied in the wild and in captivity. ... Based on what is known so far, gray whales are not considered to be as “smart” and dolphins and orcas.
What months do GREY whales migrate?
February – late April | Northward Whale Migration
Gray whales leave Baja’s lagoons to migrate back north starting at the beginning of February and continuing through April.
Why are gray whales dying?
Although scientists don’t know for certain what caused a die-off of eastern Pacific gray whales, they believe climate change might have reduced the amount or quality of prey. Malnutrition could prevent the whales from completing their annual migration and could threaten their general survival.
How long does it take for gray whales to migrate?
Each October as the northern ice pushes southward small groups of gray whales start a two to three month 5,000 – 6,800-mile trip south. Beginning in the Bering and Chukchi seas and ending in the warm lagoons of Mexico’s Baja peninsula.
Are GREY whales aggressive?
Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) owe their name to the color of their body. But, these whales are also known as devilfish, because when they were hunted, they had a violent and aggressive reaction to their hunters . ... Gray whales are also known as the friendly whale.
Is it OK to touch whales?
Swimming with whales or touching them disrupts their natural behavior. ... Some whales experience less stress or are more used to humans. However it is safest to keep your distance from this marine mammals and never to touch it .
How can you tell a GREY whale?
Coloration: Gray whales are so called because of their mottled gray coloration. The natural pigmentation can range from almost black to almost white and can include white spots that range from the size of a marble to a basketball. This mottled appearance is enhanced by barnacles, barnacle scars, and whale lice.
