Mammals of the WorldGray Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Balaenopteridae
- Genus
- Eschrichtius
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Canada|China|Japan|Mexico|Russia|United States|Iceland?|North Korea?|South Korea?|Vietnam?
- Realm
- Marine
Other names: California Gray Whale|Devilfish|Hard-head|Mussel Digger|Rip Sack|Scrag Whale
About this species
- Size
- 14.9–15.2m
- Weight
- Up to 41–45 tonnes
The gray whale is a large baleen whale, 14.9–15.2 m long and reaching roughly 41–45 tonnes. Its dark skin carries grey patches and white mottling produced by parasites and the scars they leave, giving the species its English name. It is the only living member of Eschrichtius, and traditionally the only living member of the family Eschrichtiidae, although some recent classifications place it with the rorquals (Wikipedia, general species account).
Gray whales migrate annually between feeding and breeding grounds. The opened account describes Northeast Pacific and Northwest Pacific populations and notes that North Atlantic populations disappeared after centuries of whaling, although rare Atlantic and Mediterranean sightings have occurred again in recent decades. Reported longevity is usually 55–70 years, with one female estimated at 75–80. Mothers accompanying calves were historically called devil fish because they defended their young forcefully when attacked by hunters (Wikipedia, general species account).
Description: Wildlife of Korea guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)