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Learn about the characteristics of the humpback whale and its sanctuaries in Brazil.
Abrolhos National Marine Park: the birthplace of Humpback Whales.
The humpback whale, also known as the humpback or black whale, belongs to the Balaenopteridae family and is famous for its docile temperament, the impressive acrobatics it performs (such as leaps, head displays and flippers), and its highly complex vocalisation system.
Humpback whales – docile and imposing ‘monsters of the sea’ – return to the Brazilian coast every year, attracting the attention of tourists and researchers.
Between July and November, the coasts of Bahia and Espírito Santo become unmissable destinations for observing these majestic creatures. During this period, the whales migrate from the sub-Antarctic waters to the warmer waters off the Brazilian coast, where they approach the coast to reproduce, give birth and suckle their young.
The whale season in Brazil runs from June to November, when the humpbacks arrive in the region to take advantage of the mild temperature of the tropical waters, which favours the reproductive process and the development of their calves.
The whales’ main breeding ground is the Abrolhos National Marine Park, located on the southern coast of Bahia, just a few kilometres from Caravelas. This park is considered the most important breeding area for humpback whales in the Western South Atlantic. Between the months of July and November, the humpbacks make the park a haven for nursing and reproduction.
Created in 1983 by Ibama, the Abrolhos National Marine Park is a group of volcanic islands and coral reefs, located 36 nautical miles (approximately 70 kilometres) off the coast in the extreme south of Bahia. This park is one of the most significant areas of the Brazilian coastline, notable for its enormous biodiversity and the important ecosystems it harbours.
The Abrolhos Bank is a key point in the migration of humpback whales and is considered the most important breeding area for this species in the Western South Atlantic. As well as being vital for whales, the region is essential for sustainable fishing because, with the ban on fishing within its boundaries, the park’s corals serve as an important breeding ground for fish, which contributes to sustainable fishing in neighbouring areas.
The Abrolhos National Marine Park therefore plays a crucial role in both environmental preservation and the sustainable development of fishing and tourism in the region, making it a destination of great ecological and economic importance.
Where to watch Humpback Whales in Brazil?
Humpback whale sightings on the Brazilian coast occur between the end of May and the beginning of November, when the whales migrate to the warmer waters off the country’s coast. Some of the best places to observe these majestic mammals include:
- Rio de Janeiro: The Arraial do Cabo region and Riode Janeiro‘s North Coast are popular for humpback whale watching.
- São Paulo: The SãoPaulo coast, especially the Ilhabela, Cananéia and Ubatuba regions, also receives humpback whale migration.
- Bahia: The Abrolhos National Marine Park in the far south of Bahia is the main breeding ground for humpbacks, attracting tourists and researchers. The Bahian coast, especially the Caravelas region, is another famous spot for sightings.
- Espírito Santo: The waters off Vitória and the areas around Regência are also known for receiving humpback whales during the migration season.
Travel agencies offer specialised whale watching tours to see humpback whales at various points along the Brazilian coast, providing a unique and exciting experience for tourists.
Video about the Humpback Whale and the World’s 5 Largest Whales
Humpback whale
1. Characteristics
- Family: Balaenopteridae (humpback whale)
- Specific name: Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781)
- Common name: Humpback whale, black whale, humpback whale, singing whale, humpback whale
2. Distribution
The humpback whale is a cosmopolitan species. In summer it feeds in the cold waters near the poles and in winter it migrates to tropical waters to reproduce and raise its young. This species has coastal habits, but can also be found on oceanic islands such as Fernando de Noronha and Trindade. In Brazil, it can be found from Rio Grande do Sul to the Northeast, especially the Abrolhos Bank in Bahia, an important breeding site for the species in the Western South Atlantic.
Currently, it is estimated that there are around 12,000 individuals in the Southern Hemisphere, distributed in 7 distinct populations.
3. Weight, measurements and characteristics
The humpback whale has a robust body, measuring between 12 and 16 metres in length and weighing more than 40 tonnes. Its back is black, with irregular white spots on the belly, and its pectoral fins and the ventral part of the caudal fin vary from total black to total white, with intermediate patterns.
The central keel on the head is rounded and covered in callosities or tubercles, typical of the species, which can be covered in barnacles and whale lice. The dorsal fin is small and falcate or flattened, located over a small hump. The caudal fin is shaped like a butterfly wing, with jagged edges, and the pectoral fins are very long, corresponding to 1/3 of the body length.
The humpback whale has between 250 and 400 pairs of dark grey or brown fins and 12 to 36 ventral folds, which extend close to the genital opening.
4. How they are born and how long they live
Males compete for females in aggressive fights, and the most common group structure is made up of females with calves accompanied by carving males. Sexual maturity is reached when the whale reaches around 11 metres. Gestation lasts about a year and females give birth to a single calf which, at birth, measures approximately 5 metres and weighs 1.5 tonnes. The calf is breastfed for 6 to 10 months and the interval between births is 2 years. The humpback whale ‘s life expectancy can exceed 40 years.
5. Behaviour and Habits
Humpback whales swim alone, in pairs or trios, but can form larger temporary groups in feeding and breeding areas. They are known for jumping, slapping their fins and head on the surface of the water. They are also curious and often approach boats.
During dives, the tail, head and pectoral fins can remain exposed on the surface for up to several hours. Before a deep dive, the caudal fin is projected out of the water. Males emit song-like sounds to attract females and ward off rivals in breeding areas. The song can last from 6 minutes to over an hour, made up of several phrases repeated for hours. Humpback whales can add new phrases every year, and each population has a unique song.
6. Humpback Whale Song
Humpback whale song is a complex song emitted during mating. This song, which can last up to 30 minutes, is repeated several times and the male can sing it for up to 24 hours without interruption. This phenomenon has been studied by scientists who have observed that the notes change annually, which suggests that the song varies according to region and year.
7. Feeding
Humpback whales feed mainly in cold waters in summer, where they consume krill, copepods and small fish that form shoals. They use a series of specialised feeding techniques to catch their prey.
8. Natural enemies
The orca (Orcinus orca), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and possibly large sharks (Family Carcharhinidae) are the humpback whale’s main natural enemies.
9. Threats
Humpback whales face various threats due to their coastal habits and migratory periods. Anthropogenic pressures include:
- Accidental capture in fishing nets.
- Collisions with boats and ships.
- Waterpollution.
- Habitat destruction.
Another imminent risk is the increase in whale watching tourism, which, if poorly managed, could harm humpbacks. Oil activity in the Banco dos Abrolhos region also raises concerns about future impacts on the whale population.
10. Individual Identification
Individuals are identified by the unique colouration of the ventral part of the caudal fin and the marks and scars on the dorsal fin, which create unique patterns for each whale.
This set of characteristics and behaviours highlights the humpback whale as one of the most fascinating marine species, with complex and unique social and migratory behaviours.
Bahia.ws – Tourist Guide to Bahia, Salvador and the Northeast
Learn about the characteristics of the Humpback Whale
