Whales — Gray
Gray Whale
Gray whales are baleen whales who belong to the rorqual species. Gray whales average between 43-49 feet in length and commonly weigh between 15-33 metric tones with mature whales reaching up to 40 metric tones. They have an average life span estimated to be between 55 and 70 years. The Gray whale is the sole living species from the Eschrichtius genus.
Gray whales migrate between feeding grounds yearly there are two remaining populations of Gray whales on earth the Western and Eastern North Pacific populations. Historically a population of Gray whales existing in the North Atlantic but were hunted to extinction. The Western North Pacific population is very endangered and found between the Sea of Okhotsk and Southern Korea. The largest population and the population that I interact with is the Eastern North Pacific group who migrates between the Artic Ocean above Alaska down to Baja California.
During this migration the Gray whales will commonly stick very close to shore in shallow water as they feed off the bottom of the ocean typically looking for crustaceans. When feeding the Gray whale will swim down and drag the side of its face against the ground scooping in its food. This process over time will commonly cause damage to the whales eye causing it to go blind due to scaring, for this reason Gray whales have been observed to have a preferred feeding side that they always use so that only one eye gets damaged.
How To Identify Gray Whales
Gray whales are appropriately identifiable due to their gray color which is often covered in scars left behind by parasites. They have next to no dorsal fin with it only being a low bump. Behind their dorsal they will typically have what appears to be a pronounced knuckly spine. When viewed up close a double blowhole on the top of their head that on calm days creates a distinct heart shape when they surface. Individual Gray whales can be identified by distinct scar marks or patterns on their dorsal or fluke or distinct deformities.
I am not aware of any photo identification resources for Gray Whales. If you have one please reach out to me to share it.
