WHALE HELLO THERE!
The humpback whale has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins, also commonly named flippers. In fact, the scientific name “Megaptera novaeangliae”, of this species, means “big wing of the New England”, referring to this unique characteristic. The length of the pectoral fin can reach almost 5 meters (around 16 feet).
The flippers are ventrally white and can be either white or black, depending on the population and the individual: the flippers of North Atlantic humpback whales tend to be white, while those in the North Pacific are usually black.
Humpbacks are well known for their acrobatic behaviors. The behavior repertoire include breaching, lobtailing and flippering. Such behaviors occur at all times of year and in a variety of contexts and they perform different functions. These may include play, communication, parasite removal and expression of excitement or annoyance.
In Skjálfandi Bay, sometimes humpback whales raise their flippers to slap over and over at the surface, in a behaviour called “pectoral slapping or flippering”. The slap causes big splashes and loud noises and it is always a show for the whale watchers and nature enthusiasts.
Could you guess which population the humpback whale of this picture might belong?
Diana