YOUR FAVOURITE WHALE
Personally, among all the whale and dolphin species I have seen around the world over the years, the humpback whale continues to be my favourite among them all.
Surely, there is something fascinating, unique and astonishing about every single whale species: the social structures and advanced and adapted hunting techniques of the orcas, the sheer size of a blue whale, the sound volume and diving skills of the sperm whales and so on and on…
But what about the humpback whale, our most common visitor in Skjálfandi Bay?
- Each tail is unique
Their tail flukes have unique patterns, kind of like a fingerprint. Scientists use photos of them to track and identify individual whales. - They’re acrobatic giants
Despite weighing up to 40 tons, humpbacks are known for their acrobatic breaches, where they launch themselves out of the water like it’s no big deal. - They sing complex songs
Only male humpbacks sing, and their songs can last for 20 minutes or more. The craziest part? All the males in a region sing the same song, and it evolves over time—like a slow-moving, underwater hit single. - They use bubble nets to hunt
Humpbacks work together to trap fish using a method called bubble net feeding—they blow bubbles in a circle to corral fish, then swim right through it with their mouths open. Strategic and dramatic! - They're globe-trotters
These whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal. They travel all the way from polar feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas.
What I like most about the humpback? Probably the fact that they’re full of character: curious, majestic, showy, rowdy, sneaky, charismatic – but above all, they’re true gentle giants!
What is your favourite whale?
Text & Photos: Sarah Arndt
