Gray Whale
Eschrichtius robustusAlso known as Grey Whale, Devil Fish, Mussel Digger, California Gray Whale
Gray whales are famous for their epic annual migrations, traveling thousands of miles between icy Arctic feeding grounds and warm Mexican breeding lagoons. Unlike other baleen whales, they are primarily benthic feeders, rolling onto their sides to scoop up mouthfuls of sediment and filter out tiny amphipods from the seafloor. Their mottled gray skin is typically encrusted with a unique ecosystem of barnacles and whale lice, giving each individual a highly distinctive, rugged appearance.
- diet
- Benthic invertebrates, primarily amphipods and mysids filtered from seafloor mud
- family
- Eschrichtiidae
- threats
- Entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, ocean noise, and climate change affecting prey
- life Span
- 55 to 80 years
LC
Massive size can easily capsize small vessels; maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards.
Mothers are fiercely protective of their calves and can aggressively ram boats if they feel threatened or cornered.
Never position a vessel between a mother and her calf, and immediately back away if a whale shows signs of agitation.The Western Pacific population is critically endangered, and all gray whales are highly sensitive to acoustic disturbance and vessel traffic in their calving lagoons.
Never pursue or encircle whales, and minimize engine noise when they are nearby.- Keep Your Distance: Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards when viewing from a boat to avoid disrupting their travel.
- Watch for Blows: Look for their characteristic low, heart-shaped blow on the horizon to track their movement.
- Respect Nursery Lagoons: In breeding bays, only use authorized, regulated tour vessels that follow strict whale-watching guidelines.