A hungry humpback lunge feeding at the surface

in nature •  7 years ago  (edited)

Humpbacks feed extensively during summer time at high latitudes, which during that time they build up their blubber layers. During the winter time these animals will migrate to the lower latitudes/tropical waters, which are their breeding and birthing grounds. When they do migrate from to and from the warmer waters there is very little to nothing for them to eat - hence the intense feeding behaviour in summer season in order to build up their energy storage aka blubber.

This is why we believe that females tend to be physically larger than the males, as she will need extra blubber and energy stores - especially if she is pregnant. She needs that extra energy reserves for the little one to develop/the gestation period, she migrates to her birthing ground - a few thousand miles, give birth and lactates for a few months to her calf can physically survive the trip back to their feeding grounds - ALL whilst protecting her young calf from potential predators.


She does most of this whilst not eating...


To give you an idea of how much energy passes over to little one - she will pump about 150 gallons of milk a day, which is about 1,200 glasses of milk - A DAY! Simply impressive - I love these animals.


IMG_5350.jpg

A female humpback lunge feeding on her side.
her upper jaw is to the left of the photo and her lower jaw to the right.
Click image for full size.


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There is nothing beautiful than nature

Así es amigo!

You got a 1.02% upvote from @allaz courtesy of @steem69!

Wow!!
Where did you take this photo?

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Congratulations for the photo. The amount of milk supplied to your baby equals approximately 568 liters per day. Awesome!

awesome nature photofeed and travel post thank for shearing

This picture provoke me to think about our universal ! Amazing

Hey @thomasjmitchell , this is amazing post, strikes again.
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this is wonderful photo.this photo impressed to me.very nature .@thomasjmitchell

Amazing! I read today Blue Whale populations have reduced from 200,000+ pre-whaling to 1/10th of that today. Have Humpbacks suffered similar loss of numbers? Or are they a little better off?

you just receiceved a 100% upvote from @nabstertsr for more info and resteems follow me or check out my profile @nabstertsr

Wow! That's an interesting fact :

"she will pump about 150 gallons of milk a day, which is about 1,200 glasses of milk - A DAY! "

That I didn't know until now... Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy your posts, especially posts such as this that comes with interesting facts.

Looking forward to the next one... :)

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very good post ,,, @thomasjmitchell

good

Wow what an amazing sight!

I wonder how they travel long distances to give birth

beautiful photo, I wish I could get to the ocean for some photo's like this... JEALOUS !

gran foto en donde se muestra parte de lo maravilloso de la naturaleza :)