What is the length of a humpback whale?
Calves can be about 15 feet in length. Adults are about 45-50 feet. How do researchers recognize one humpback from another? Humpbacks are distinguished by the markings on the underside of their tails (also known as flukes). The patterns can range from all black to all white, with most having a mix. The researchers pick out distinguishing marks (which may also be scars -scars on the white portion appear dark and scars on the darkportions of the tails appear white). A whale named “Cat’s Paw” has a mark on her tail that looks just like a paw print. Since humpbacks lift their tails out of the water when they dive, researchers can see and photograph the flukes, allowing for identification. Is fluke pigmentation inherited from the parents? Fluke pigmentation may be influenced by inheritance from the parents. Researchers report that pigmentation varies among individuals from all black to all white, with every grade in between. Superimposed on the basic pattern are scars from injuries acquired
