• Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae.

  • It is a baleen whale.

  • Famous for its complex songs, particularly among males.

  • Humpback whales undertake long-distance migrations between feeding and breeding grounds.

  • They feed mainly in nutrient-rich cold waters and migrate to warmer waters for breeding and calving.

  • They are found in oceans worldwide.

  • Major threats include:

    • Entanglement in fishing gear

    • Ship strikes

    • Underwater noise

    • Pollution

    • Climate-related changes in prey distribution

Key Pointers

  • Scientific name: Megaptera novaeangliae

  • Type: Baleen whale

  • Special feature: Long-distance migration + songs

  • Diet: Krill and small fish

  • UPSC angle: Marine ecosystems + whale conservation