Documentary Description
Humpback whales inhabit all of the world’s oceans, but are more
numerous in the Southern Hemisphere. This was not always so: Southern
Hemisphere humpback whales were severely impacted by commercial whaling
and estimates suggest that populations were reduced to just 2 percent of
their original size. A whaling moratorium has enabled some populations
to recover, but their long-term health is far from certain.
Humpbacks
have stocky bodies, a prominent hump under their dorsal fin, and heads
covered with knobs called tubercles, which actually contain hair
follicles. Adult humpback whales range in size from 40-50 feet and weigh
about 40 tons. These whales do not form family groups, but they are
very social and gather together when feeding and breeding.
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