During annual migration the humpback travels a total of 10,000 km
During migration whales do not usually eat but there is emerging evidence that they can “snack” or opportunistically feed along the route – particularly on their way back
Migration is for the purpose of mating and giving birth in warm shallow and sheltered waters, which should ensure the survival of the calf as it is born without a blubber layer
A female whale is called a Cow, a male a Bull and a baby a Calf
The female is pregnant for 11 to 12 months
The calf stays with its mother for up 2 years
When born the calf can be 3 to 4.5 meters long and weight up to 1 ton (907 kg)
In the first three weeks of live the calf can triple its size
A new born calf can drink up to 600 litres of milk a day
The milk of the female whale is as thick as tooth paste, and very high in fat (45% to 60%)
Whales do not mate for life
It is the male whale that does all the courting
The males sing as part of the courtship
Each male has its own distinct courtship song
Males have been recorded singing as long as 24 hours during courtship
The male takes no part in the upbringing of the young
The females and males are ready to mate at the age of 5 to 7 years
Whales can live as long as 90 years
Whales can grow up to 18 metres in length
Whales can weigh up to 40 tonne
It takes only one flick of a whale’s tail to launch their massive bodies out of the water
Young female whales act as nannies and help with new born calves on the journey back to the Antarctic
There is only one known White Whale in the world “Migaloo” (White Fella in the Aboriginal Language)
The under part of a whale’s tail is like a finger print – no two are the same
When a whale exhales (blows) this air is released at 100 psi
When a whale dives they have the ability to shut down one vital organ so as to conserve oxygen
In 1962 when whaling was abolished it is estimated the humpback whale population was only 200
In 2013 it is estimated the humpback whale population is close to 14,000
Humpback Whales increase in population by 11% a year
Tonga is the only place in the world where you can swim with humpback whales
Dolphins are the smallest member of the whale family
Humpback Whales are the 5th largest of the whale family
Humpback Whales generally travel in Pods (a group of 2 to 5 Whales)