Gray Whale

ocean · migration · baleen whale · record-breaker

Super long journey. Gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any animal on Earth, traveling between their feeding grounds in the Arctic and their breeding grounds in warmer waters each year. Some individuals swim over 12,000 miles round trip.

Truly massive. Gray whales can grow to about 50 feet long and weigh as much as 45 tonnes, which is roughly the weight of 700 adult humans. They can live between 55 and 70 years, with some living even longer.

Patchy appearance. Their name comes from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin, which gives them a speckled look. This unique pattern helps scientists recognize individual whales.

Fierce protectors. Gray whales were once called 'devil fish' by whalers because mothers fought so viciously to protect their calves when attacked. Their devotion to their young showed incredible courage and strength.

Ancient lineage. Gray whales are baleen whales, meaning they filter-feed by straining water through special plates in their mouths instead of having teeth. They are descended from filter-feeding whales that appeared millions of years ago.