Species - Grey Whale
The Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is the sole species found in the
Exchrichtidae family of baleen whales. Ranging, for the most part, in the
North Pacific, it was present until relatively recently in the North Atlantic as well.
Greys grow to a large size. Males average 40 ft.; females 42 ft.
Females weigh somewhat more than males, about 34 tons. At birth, calves
are usually around 15 ft.
The normal color of the species is dark gray, with most members mottled and covered with lighter flecks. The mottling patterns are constant enough to enable individual whales to be identified from photographs. Grey Whales lack a dorsal fin and are adapted to bottom-feeding, the only baleen whale to feed by biting mouthfuls of bottom sediment and straining the mud for food.
The Grey Whale population is around 20,000 individuals.
Copyright Whales, LLC 1996.