Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching. When breaching at the water's surface, humpback whales can generate enough upward force with their tails to lift nearly half of their body out of the water. It is not known for certain why whales breach, but it is thought to be related to courtship or play activity. This humpback whale is part of the Tongan tribe population, which migrates from feeding grounds in Antarctica, past New Zealand to breed in tropical waters around Tonga in the Pacific. The humpback whale can grow to 27 tonnes in weight and 15 metres in length. It feeds in cold waters on krill and small shoaling fish, breeding in shallower tropical waters. Photographed off Tonga. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Swann, Christopher |
Bildgröße: | 5127 px × 3412 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |