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Least Concern

Gray Whale

The gray whale is a robust, barnacle-encrusted marine mammal known for its incredible migration—the longest of any mammal. These bottom-feeding giants play a vital role in ocean ecosystems and are one of the few whale species that regularly approach boats in curiosity.
Scientific Name: Eschrichtius robustus
Size: 40–50 feet (12–15 meters)
Weight: 30–40 tons (60,000–80,000 lbs)

Meet the Gray Whale

Gray whales are one of the most distinctive large whales in the ocean. Unlike other baleen whales, they lack a dorsal fin, instead featuring a series of knuckle-like ridges running down their back. Their mottled gray skin, often covered in barnacles and whale lice, gives them a rugged, prehistoric appearance. These whales are known for their dramatic breaching and spyhopping behaviors, often lifting their heads vertically out of the water for a better view of their surroundings.

One of their most fascinating traits is their bottom-feeding behavior—unlike other baleen whales that filter-feed in the water column, gray whales scoop up sediment from the ocean floor, sieving out amphipods and other tiny organisms. This unique feeding method helps stir up the seabed, promoting nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems.

Habitat

Gray whales are found exclusively in the North Pacific, making one of the most extraordinary migrations of any marine mammal. They prefer:

  • Cold Arctic waters (Bering & Chukchi Seas) in summer for feeding
  • Coastal lagoons in Baja California, Mexico for calving and breeding
  • Shallow continental shelf areas for migration routes

Each year, they migrate up to 12,000 miles (19,000 km) round-trip, traveling between their feeding and breeding grounds. Unlike deep-diving whales, gray whales stay close to shore, often seen from land.

Lifespan

Gray whales typically live 50–70 years, with some individuals reaching 80 years. However, their longevity is often impacted by human-related threats, including vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

Diet

Gray whales are bottom feeders, a rarity among baleen whales. Their diet consists primarily of:

  • Amphipods (small crustaceans found in seafloor sediment)
  • Marine worms
  • Other benthic invertebrates

They use their baleen plates to filter out food after disturbing the seafloor, often leaving visible feeding pits. In their breeding grounds, they fast for months, relying on stored fat reserves.

Reproduction

  • Gestation Period: ~13 months
  • Calves per Birth: 1 calf (twins are extremely rare)
  • Weaning Period: 6–8 months

Gray whales mate in the warm, shallow lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. After giving birth, mothers are highly protective, nursing their calves with rich, fatty milk. By the time they migrate back north, calves must be strong enough to endure the long journey.

Interesting Facts

  • Longest migration of any mammal – They travel up to 12,000 miles (19,000 km) annually.
  • No dorsal fin! – Instead of a dorsal fin, they have knuckle-like ridges along their back.
  • Barnacle colonies – A gray whale can carry over 400 pounds (180 kg) of barnacles and whale lice!
  • Bubble-net sleepers – They rest by floating motionless or sleeping while swimming slowly.
  • Curious and friendly – Gray whales are known for approaching boats and allowing close human interactions.

Predators & Natural Threats

Predators:

  • Orcas (Killer whales) – The primary natural predator, often targeting calves during migration.
  • Sharks – Occasionally prey on sick or injured whales.

Human-Caused Threats:

  • Ship strikes – One of the leading causes of mortality.
  • Bycatch – Getting caught in fishing nets leads to injuries and fatalities.
  • Climate change – Affects food availability and alters migration patterns.
  • Pollution – Heavy metals, plastics, and ocean noise threaten their survival.

Behavior

Gray whales are among the most inquisitive of the baleen whales. They often approach boats, engaging in “friendly whale” interactions, particularly in Baja lagoons. They display a variety of behaviors:

  • Breaching – Leaping out of the water, possibly for communication or parasite removal.
  • Spyhopping – Lifting their heads above the water to look around.
  • Lobtailing – Slapping the water with their tail flukes.
  • Mud-feeding – Rolling on their sides to scoop up sediment.

Unlike some other whale species, gray whales tend to be solitary or travel in small groups, except during migration.

Human Interactions

Gray whales have a unique history with humans. Once hunted nearly to extinction, they were one of the primary targets of commercial whaling. However, they are now one of the most protected whales and have rebounded in population.

Today, gray whales are a major attraction for whale-watching ecotourism, particularly in Baja California and along the U.S. West Coast. These encounters have fostered appreciation for marine conservation. However, vessel traffic and fishing gear continue to pose serious risks.

Conservation Efforts

Legal Protections:

  • International Whaling Commission (IWC) Moratorium (1986) – Ended commercial whaling.
  • Endangered Species Act & Marine Mammal Protection Act (U.S.) – Safeguards gray whales in U.S. waters.
  • CITES Appendix I – Prohibits international trade of gray whale products.

Marine Protected Areas:

  • Laguna San Ignacio & Magdalena Bay (Mexico) – Critical calving and breeding grounds.
  • Bering Sea & Arctic Marine Reserves – Help protect feeding grounds.

Research & Monitoring:

  • Migration tracking programs using satellite tags.
  • Whale-watching regulations to minimize human disturbance.
  • Efforts to reduce ship strikes through speed restrictions and routing adjustments.

While the Eastern Pacific gray whale population has recovered, the Western Pacific population remains critically endangered, with fewer than 200 individuals left. Continued conservation efforts are essential to ensure their survival.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Cetacea
  • Family: Eschrichtiidae
  • Genus: Eschrichtius
  • Species: Eschrichtius robustus