Humpfree @1075

Humpfree, humpback whale also known as ID WGRP-HB_018, is probably male, although we can't know for certain unless we can see the underside of its belly or get a DNA sample. We suspect Humpfree is a male because "he" was traveling with a female whale and her calf, acting as what we call an "escort." Although female whales, which have a gestation period of 12 months, rarely become pregnant and give birth two years in a row, it's not uncommon to spot two adult whales and a baby traveling together for extended periods of time and, most of the time, the trio is comprised of a female, her calf, and a male. DNA samples of other similar groups show that the male is not the father of the calf. So why do adult male whales spend their time with non-receptive females when there are others they might have better luck with? We just don't know; maybe they're trying to score points for next year. It's another wonderful mystery of marine mammal science. The distinctive leopard spot pattern on this whale's tail will make it a fun one to try to spot again on the water next year and to look for matches in our colleagues' catalogs.

Oaxaca Coast · North Pacific

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