Whale Tails
by Robert Bales
Title
Whale Tails
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12�16 metres (39�52 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. An acrobatic animal known for breaching and slapping the water with its tail and pectorals, it is popular with whale watchers off Australia, New Zealand, South America, Canada, and the United States.
Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi) each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the bubble net feeding technique.
Like other large whales, the humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a moratorium was introduced in 1966. While stocks have since partially recovered, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution continue to impact the 80,000 humpbacks worldwide.
Uploaded
March 27th, 2013
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Viewed 1,642 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 03/24/2024 at 6:42 AM
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Comments (10)
Dale Kincaid
Congratulations! Your fantastic art has been chosen as a ANIMAL MANIA Group feature! You are invited to archive your work in the feature archive discussion.
Robert Bales
I would like to thank both of you for the great support by adding this to your great feature page!
Tessa Fairey
Magnificent collage Robert! Great presentation! v/f
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Tessa for the comment and the vote! I am also glad that you enjoyed the work!