Humpback Whale – Megaptera novaeangliae

Common Name: Humpback Whale
Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae
Classification: Kingdom Animalia → Phylum Chordata → Class Mammalia → Order Cetacea → Family Balaenopteridae → Genus Megaptera → Species novaeangliae
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) (globally)

Subspecies:

1. Megaptera novaeangliae novaeangliae – Northern Hemisphere populations
2. Megaptera novaeangliae australis – Southern Hemisphere populations
   (The Northern Indian Ocean population, found around Sri Lanka and the Arabian Sea, is considered a distinct subpopulation that may warrant separate conservation status due to isolation and small size.)

Geographic Range (where the species is found):

The Humpback Whale is cosmopolitan, found in all major oceans from the equator to polar seas. Most populations are migratory, moving between tropical breeding grounds and polar feeding areas.
However, the Northern Indian Ocean population is unique and largely non-migratory, occurring year-round around Sri Lanka, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Within Sri Lanka, sightings are concentrated along the southern, southwestern, and eastern coasts—notably near Mirissa, Kalpitiya, and Trincomalee.

Description:

A large, robust whale reaching 12–16 meters in length and weighing up to 40 tonnes. The Humpback has a dark gray to black body with irregular white patches on the belly, flippers, and tail. Its most distinctive features are the extraordinarily long pectoral fins—up to one-third of body length—and knobbly tubercles on the head and jaw, each housing a sensory hair.
The dorsal fin is small and variable in shape, located on a pronounced hump, which gives the species its common name. The broad tail flukes, often lifted during dives, show individually unique patterns used for identification.

Habitat:

Prefers coastal and continental shelf waters, especially islands, seamounts, and upwelling zones rich in prey. Around Sri Lanka, it occupies southern and eastern coastal waters, where oceanic currents and monsoon-driven upwellings increase plankton and fish abundance. The species is resident in these tropical waters year-round.

Diet:

Carnivore (filter feeder).
Feeds on small schooling fish (such as sardines and anchovies) and krill. Uses bubble-net feeding, a cooperative strategy where whales create a circular “net” of bubbles to trap prey before lunging upward with mouths open.

Ecological Role of Megaptera novaeangliae:

A key predator and nutrient recycler in marine ecosystems. Humpbacks regulate populations of small fish and plankton, while their nutrient-rich waste products enhance primary productivity by fertilizing surface waters with nitrogen and iron.

Life Cycle:

Humpbacks live up to 70–80 years. Calves are born after an 11–12 month gestation period, measuring around 4–5 meters and weighing up to 1.5 tonnes. They are nursed for 10–11 months and gain rapid weight from the mother’s high-fat milk. Sexual maturity occurs around 5–10 years of age.

Reproduction (mating season, number of offspring):

Breeding occurs in warm tropical waters during winter months. Unlike most populations that migrate to feed in polar regions, the Sri Lankan and Arabian Sea population breeds and feeds within the same tropical waters year-round. Females give birth to one calf every 2–3 years.

Behaviour:

Highly acrobatic and social; often seen breaching, tail-slapping, and pectoral-fin waving. Produces complex vocalizations or “songs”, particularly by males during the breeding season, which are believed to function in courtship and communication. Usually seen alone or in small groups, though temporary feeding aggregations occur in rich prey areas. Around Sri Lanka, individuals display feeding, resting, and breeding behaviors in the same region.

Key Adaptations:

• Exceptionally long pectoral fins improving maneuverability during feeding.
• Vocal learning and communication for social coordination.
• Cooperative bubble-net feeding increasing hunting efficiency.
• Thick blubber layer providing insulation and buoyancy.
• Regional non-migratory adaptation allowing year-round presence in tropical waters.

Threats:

• Ship strikes, especially in the heavily trafficked southern shipping corridor.
• Fishing gear entanglement and ghost nets.
• Noise pollution interfering with acoustic communication and navigation.
• Pollution and chemical contamination affecting food chains.
• Climate change altering monsoonal productivity and prey availability.
• Small population size (fewer than 100 individuals estimated for the Arabian Sea–Sri Lanka subpopulation) increasing vulnerability.

Interesting Fact:

The Humpback Whale’s songs can travel hundreds of kilometers underwater and are considered one of the most complex vocal displays in the animal kingdom. The Sri Lankan population is among the only non-migratory Humpback groups in the world, remaining in the Indian Ocean all year long.

Here are anchor-text links for the Humpback Whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae) that you can use for your blog or website:

REFERENCES

• Wikipedia – Humpback Whale – Overview of taxonomy, morphology, behaviour and global range. (Wikipedia)
• NOAA Fisheries – Humpback Whale – Authoritative U.S. profile: name origin, physical traits, status. (NOAA Fisheries)
• Animal Diversity Web – Megaptera novaeangliae – Detailed account on habitat, description, range. (Animal Diversity Web)
• National Geographic – Humpback Whale – Species facts, range and interesting behaviours. (National Geographic)
• OBIS-SEAMAP – Megaptera novaeangliae – Global sighting/data distribution resource. (seamap.env.duke.edu)

Dive into our marine-inspired gift collection — perfect for ocean lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Explore eco-friendly T-shirts, including our whale, sea star, and shark designs made from soft organic cotton. Pair them with our ocean-themed stickers, dolphin and shark tote bags, nature-inspired notebooks, eco-friendly scrunchies, and wildlife print bandanas — thoughtful, sustainable pieces that celebrate the beauty of marine life