Discover the characteristics of the humpback whale and its sanctuaries in Brazil
The Abrolhos National Marine Park is the home of humpback whales.
The humpback whale, also known as the humpback whale or black whale, belongs to the Balaenopteridae family and is famous for its docile temperament, its impressive acrobatics (such as jumps, head and fins flips) and its highly complex vocal system.
Humpback whales – docile and imposing “monsters of the sea” – return to the Brazilian coast every year, attracting the attention of tourists and researchers.
Whale watching season
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 breed, give birth and nurse their borns.
The whale season in Brazil runs from June to November, when the humpback whales arrive in the region to take advantage of the mild temperatures of the tropical waters, which favour the reproductive process and the development of their calves.
The Abrolhos National Marine Park
The main breeding ground for whales 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 humpback whale breeding area in the Western South Atlantic. Between July and November, the humpback whales 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) from the coast in the extreme south of Bahia.
This park is one of the most important areas on the Brazilian coast, notable for its enormous biodiversity and the important ecosystems it supports.
Importance of the Abrolhos Bank
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 the whales, the region is also important for sustainable fishing, as the park’s corals serve as an important breeding ground for fish, which contribute to sustainable fishing in neighbouring areas, as fishing is prohibited within its boundaries.
See a map of the Costa das Baleias
Where to see 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 see these majestic mammals include
- Rio de Janeiro: The Arraial do Cabo region and the North Coast of Rio de Janeiro are popular for humpback whale watching.
- São Paulo: The SãoPaulo Coast, especially the Ilhabela, Cananéia and Ubatuba regions, also receive humpback whale migrations.
- Bahia: The Abrolhos National Marine Park in the far south of Bahia is the main humpback breeding area, 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 famous for humpback whales during the migration season.
Travel agencies offer specialised whale whale watching tours to spot humpback whales at various points along the Brazilian coast, providing tourists with a unique and exciting experience.
Video about the humpback whale and the 5 largest whales in the world
Humpback Whale
1. Characteristics
- Family: Balaenopteridae (Humpback whales)
- Specific name: Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781)
- Common name: Humpback whale, Black whale, Humpback whale, 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 rear 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 occurs from Rio Grande do Sul to the Northeast, particularly on the Abrolhos Bank in Bahia, an important breeding site for the species in the Western South Atlantic.
There are currently an estimated 12,000 individuals in the Southern Hemisphere, distributed in 7 distinct populations.
3. Weight, dimensions and characteristics
The humpback whale has a solid 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 totally black to totally white, with intermediate patterns.
The central keel on the head is rounded and covered with callosities or tubercles, typical of the species, which may be covered with barnacles and whale lice. The dorsal fin is small and falcate or flattened, set over a small hump. The caudal fin is shaped like a butterfly wing, with jagged edges, and the pectoral fins are very long, equal to 1/3 of the body length.
The humpback has between 250 and 400 pairs of dark grey or brown fins and 12 to 36 ventral folds that 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 consists of Females with calves accompanied by Males with calves. Sexual maturity is reached when the whale reaches about 11 metres. Gestation lasts about 1 year and females give birth to a single calf, which at birth measures about 5 metres and weighs 1.5 tonnes. The calf is nursed for 6 to 10 months and the interval between calves 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, flapping and banging their heads on the surface of the water. They are also curious and often approach boats.
During dives, the tail, head and pectoral fins can remain bare at the surface for up to several hours. Before a deep dive, the caudal fin is protruding from the water. Males emit song-like sounds to attract females and dispel rivals in breeding areas. The song can last from 6 minutes to over a hour and is made up of several phrases repeated over hours. Humpbacks can add new phrases each year, and each population has a unique song.
6. Humpback whale song
humpback whale song is a complex song emitted during the mating season. 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, suggesting 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 in schools. They use a range of specialised feeding techniques to catch their prey.
8. Natural enemies
The Orcas (Orcinus orca), False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and possibly Great sharks (family Carcharhinidae) are the main natural enemies of the humpback whale.
9. Threats
Humpback whales face a variety of threats due to their coastal habits and migratory patterns. Anthropogenic pressures include
- Inadvertent capture in fishing nets.
- Collisions with boats and ships.
- Water pollution.
- Habitat destruction.
Another immediate threat is the growth of whale-watching tourism, which, if poorly managed, could harm humpback whales. Oil activity in the Banco dos Abrolhos region also raises concerns about future impacts on the whale population.
10. Identification of individuals
Individuals can be identified by the unique colouration of the ventral part of the caudal fin and the markings and scars on the dorsal fin, which create unique patterns for each whale.
This set of characteristics and behaviours highlights the humpback as one of the most fascinating marine species, with complex and unique social and migratory behaviours.
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Learn about the characteristics of the humpback whale
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