Curious Whale Calves

Wed, 27 Sep 2017

By Eco Ranger James

Humpback Whale Calves can be thirsty!

Whale watching has reached its boiling point! The last of the Humpback whale migration is made up of newborn calves and young mothers that was definitely the case with eight mothers and eight calves!

They must make this migratory run to the warmer waters to breed each year because they aren't born with an insulating layer of blubber. To be ready for the Antarctic water they have to drink 200L of milk a day! The humpback whale is a member of the Cetacean family and has the 2nd fattiest milk which can contain up to 60% fat! With all this fat the calves put on 50-60kg a day!!!

We think this might be why they seem to have so much energy! We even had a pod of 6 whales, 3 mothers, and 3 calves surface simultaneously! It was almost as if the calves where needy children competing for attention as they breached, rolled, tail and pectoral slapped the water.

After an incredible day out whale watching our current sighting numbers are at 991 for this season alone! Which is an incredible turn around considering their population numbers where estimated at fewer than 500 in 1962, with an estimated increase of 10-15% its great to see these magnificent beasts are back to the original numbers prior to whaling.

About the author

Eco Ranger James

Once part of the Tangatours team, James is now one of the Eco Rangers at Tangalooma Island Resort's Eco Centre. James often joins in on the Whale Watching Cruise as the on board Eco Ranger.

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