Whales are majestic creatures which have been hunted mercilessly by humans almost to extinction. Thankfully, due to conservation efforts the population of whales are on a steady rise. There are various species of whales patrolling the oceans of our planet but the one which I find the most riveting is the Humpback Whale. Like many marine mammals, they were heavily depleted during the whaling era, but are now a centerpiece in ecotourism. These gentle giants are found in all the oceans across the globe. But the most unique of all humpbacks are the ones living in the north Pacific off the Alaskan coast.
In this region, the Arctic winter lasts for a period of four months. Temperatures go below -40 degrees and only the toughest survive during this time. The whales from the northern hemisphere migrate from their temperate cold waters to the south tropical-subtropical warmer waters to breed. They give birth to their young ones during this time and raise them in the warm waters down south. The Humpbacks hardly feed during this period of 6 months. Their great migration (more than 3000 miles) start with the onset of autumn towards the northern, colder Pacific waters. It is a race against time and the elements of nature. A delay of a couple of days to the feeding grounds can cause death of the mother (and the child subsequently) due to starvation. Life carpets every available surface during this time. The feasting begins with millions of tiny mouths- the phytoplanktons. These are the life force that keep the oceans around the world alive. They are the prime source of nutrition for all shoals of herring in the Pacific. The herrings in turn are the prime food source for the gigantic humpbacks.
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| A humpback whale |
The feeding technique of the whales of the North Pacific is indeed a sight to behold! It is known as Bubble-Net feeding. Bubble net feeding of hump back whales is a unique technique, only 100 such whales exist perhaps who feed in such team work. The primary whale goes deep and blows a series of bubbles and begins the whale-singing- high pitched noises. The other whales dive one after the other in an organised fashion and each whale gauge exactly the same timing. This series of bubbles and high pitched singing confuses the herring and they don't escape this net of bubbles and rise up to the surface. The whales gulp them down with ease after that. Each whale can feed up to 1 ton of herring a day. Only mankind exploits the sea better than these majestic beings. Considering the fact that a whale calf can drink upto 400 litres of milk per day the food supply should be equally abundant for the mother.
Its astonishing to know that some of the mightiest creatures of this planet are dependent upon the tiniest. The days become shorter the plankton growth decreases.The herring go into the depth to avoid the colder waters and the whales leave the north pacific of Alaska.
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