div#block-tuliptitle, padding-top: 4px; nav.block-project { I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. ul.social .icon-fb { nav#block-mainnavigation > ul { display: inline-block; } border-top-right-radius: 1px; position: relative; } nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul > li > a, padding-bottom: 20px; } border-bottom: 5px solid gray; nav#block-hummingbird, position: absolute; } position: absolute; Every year of their lives they swim more than 10,000 miles roundtrip, between nursery lagoons in Mexico to feeding grounds in the Arctic. width: 30%; } Depending on the whales species the length of migration can vary significantly from traveling away from the shoreline and into offshore waters within the same local area in order to avoid the ice to making extremely long distance trips from the arctic to the tropical regions of the world and back. nav#block-tulip a, ul.social li { margin: 0; font-size: 18px; display: block; /* top: -8px; */ height: 1px; nav#block-hummingbird, div.block-projecttitle { Each year around October the gray whales in and around the eastern pacific Alaskan waters begin their migration trip from their feeding grounds to their mating grounds around the Baja peninsula of Mexico and the southern Gulf of California. list-style: none; © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); border-bottom-right-radius: 1px; } height: auto; display: none; } clip: rect(0 0 0 0); div.block-projecttitle #project-menu-toggle { nav#block-sunlightseasons, nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li > ul.l1 > li > ul.l2 { color: #535353; } Gray whales have a streamlined, mottled, gray body, commonly covered with barnacles. width: 100%; Migration data about individual gray whales can be taken by comparing photographs. margin-bottom: 40px; } ul.social .icon-pinterest { } display: block; div#block-symbolicmigrationtitle, var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; background-position: center center; #block-jnorth-branding { .nav-embed a { Twitter Thanks to its nearshore migration route, The previous time this happened two decades ago it stretched two years. Facts padding-top: 4px; } padding-top: 20px; nav#block-mainnavigation > ul { margin: 0; Even if an entire group made a decision to stay in their feeding grounds all year long they may lower their newborns survival rate as the child may have a more difficult time dealing with the cold and other threats that may be around them in the colder waters. padding-top: 0; ul.social a { Gray whale feeding in Crescent Harbor, Whidbey Island, April 10, 2010 Gray Whale Tutorial Gray Whales Eschrichtius robustus The Saratoga Gray Whale Field Guide produced by Cascadia Research Collective. ul.social .icon-pinterest { As its name implies, the whale’s body is a mottled gray coloration. nav#block-tulip > ul > li > a, nav#block-sunlightseasons, By mid February to March the majority of the population can be seen mating, socializing and giving birth at the mating grounds. .jnorth-footer-uw-logo { background: url("/jnorth/themes/custom/jnorth/img/icon-twitter.svg") no-repeat; Gray whales are thought to have the longest migrations of any marine mammal, traveling 10,000-12,000 miles round trip between their breeding grounds off Baja California to their feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas off Alaska and Russia. Aside from the seasonally migrating gray whales there is also a small population that spends its year traveling between Canada and California rather than making the long 7,000 mile journey towards the Alaskan waters from the Gulf of California and the Baja peninsula of Mexico. border-bottom: none; } display: inline-block; } padding-right: 8px; nav#block-monarch > ul > li, nav#block-symbolicmigration > ul > li, Traveling as much as 14,000 miles per year the gray whale is known to make one of the longest migration trips of any known mammal. padding-top: 10px; } Calendar width: 1px; div#block-symbolicmigrationtitle, div#block-tuliptitle, [email protected] Call us, we are open 24/7 Gray Whale Migration. list-style: none; } -moz-box-sizing: border-box; Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2020 WhaleFacts.org. nav#block-symbolicmigration > ul > li > a, position: relative; } If you would like to learn more about whale migration be sure to check out this article: Whale Habitat and Migration Patterns. The southward journey takes 2-3 months. They can dive for up to 30 minutes and go 500 feet (155 m) deep. div#block-hummingbirdtitle #project-menu-toggle, font-size: 18px; right: 0; nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li > ul.l1 > li > ul.l2 { width: 22px !important; Gray Whale Migration. margin-bottom: 40px; } a:hover { -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale; color: white; nav#block-robin > ul > li, right: 100px; /* color: #222; */ margin: 0; nav#block-robin, background-position: center center; } float: right; } height: auto; .nav-embed main, .nav-embed section, .nav-embed header, .nav-embed footer, .nav-embed nav, .nav-embed article { padding-left: 15px; } height: auto; The best time for whale watching in the Pacific Northwest is between November through January when they migrate south, and again March to May when they migrate north. width: 1px; line-height: 1.5em; } text-indent: -99999px; border-top: 1px solid #aaa; ul.social .icon-twitter { All rights reserved. display: inline-block; nav#block-hummingbird > ul > li:nth-of-type(1), nav#block-robin > ul > li > a, } Gray Whale Migration Gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal on earth. border-top: 5px solid gray; They travel 10,000-12,000 miles round trip every year between their winter calving lagoons in the warm waters of Mexico and their summer feeding grounds in the cold Arctic seas. color: #0074d9; } background: url("/jnorth/themes/custom/jnorth/img/icon-pinterest.svg") no-repeat; nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul, background-position: center center; Gray whales don’t strike you with their beauty. gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; display: none; It reaches a length of 14.9 meters (49 ft), a weight of up to 41 tonnes (90,000 lb) and lives between 55 and 70 years, although one female was estimated to be 75–80 years of age. p.copyright { top: 90px; } position: absolute; height: 40px; div#block-symbolicmigrationtitle #project-menu-toggle, Tulip Test Gardens line-height: 40px; padding-left: 20px; nav#block-tulip, The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. In regards to the gray whale these marine mammals are known to grow to lengths of up to 50 long when fully matured and can weigh as much as 40 tons. #block-jnorth-footer { The average lifespan of a healthy gray whale is 50 – 70 years. Gray whales are typically bottom feeders, preferring to filter tiny crustaceans from the seafloor. .nav-embed div#block-sunlightseasonstitle, nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li:hover ul { Although these marine mammals can grow to be quite large younger and less experienced whales may fall prey to hungry sharks and killer whales. Sunlight & Seasons padding-left: 20px; } nav#block-robin a:hover, padding-top: 30px; nav#block-symbolicmigration > ul > li > a, left: 55%; Probably the most amazing thing about gray whales is their annual migration; gray whales undertake the longest annual migration of any known mammal. ul.social { The greatest numbers occur along the west coast of Canada, the United States and Mexico, but small numbers are observed every year in near-shore waters of eastern Russia and Japan. zoom: 1; font-family: 'cabinregular', sans-serif; right: 0; Robins .jnorth-footer a { The first southbound whales are usually spotted passing the local coast in December; the first northbound whales … Fasting can also vary among different species of whale from several days to several months. margin: -1px; border-bottom: 5px solid gray; lagoons in the warm waters of Mexico and their summer feeding grounds nav#block-tulip, nav.block-project a { div#block-tuliptitle #project-menu-toggle, Your email. The gray whale migration is segregated by age, sex, and reproductive condition . As a species the gray whale is part of the cetacean family, which is made up of over 80 different species of marine mammals. /* padding: 0; */ div#block-hummingbirdtitle, nav#block-hummingbird > ul > li > a, The gray whale migrates from cold waters to the tropics each year in pods. background-position: center center; nav#block-monarch a:hover, #block-jnorth-branding > p { The annual gray whale migration is just around the corner, and many stay at The Polynesian Resort in Ocean Shores, WA, during spring to catch a glimpse of the beautiful creatures. .nav-embed .clearfix:after, .nav-embed header:after, .nav-embed > div.primary-nav > nav:after, .nav-embed > div.primary-nav > div:after { margin-bottom: 20px; } nav.block-project { Amazingly, they appear not to feed during the southerly migration so they lose almost a third of their bo… .nav-embed header { position: relative; } clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0); margin: -1px; background: #99bfde; nav#block-tulip > ul > li > a, Maps line-height: 56px; } Projects } #edit-submit { display: block; color: white; color: gray; margin-bottom: -2px; display: inline-block; } overflow: hidden; position: absolute; -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale; #block-jnorth-footer > ul li a { The Pacific Gray Whales are best-known for making the longest yearly migrations of any mammal. nav#block-monarch > ul, display: inline-block; top: 0; })(); .jnorth-footer-learner-logo img, max-width: 300px; Some species may fast in order to lose some of their thick blubber which can make it easier for them to withstand warmer climates. } display: inline-block; } The gray whale attains a maximum length of about 15 metres (49 feet). But first they must get past a pack of killer whales. It also allows them to gather together so that they can meet up and mate with one another or reproduce their offspring in a safe and warm environment which is important for their newborn children. .jnorth-footer-jnorth-logo { display: block; North Pacific Gray whales have one of the longest migration routes of any marine mammal. Federal agencies remain concerned that last year's die-off within the broader gray whale population may extend into this year's migration. nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li > ul.l1 > li a { background-size: 55% 55%; } } nav#block-monarch > ul > li > a, nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul > li, padding-top: 2px; Migration is extremely important for the gray whale. .nav-embed div#block-robintitle div, clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0); /* padding: 0; */ font-size: inherit; border-top-left-radius: 1px; bottom: 0; Gray Whale: Quick Facts. nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul > li > a, line-height: 50px; } top: 0; @import url('/jnorth/themes/custom/jnorth/css/fonts/stylesheet.css'); line-height: 20px; nav * { Migration allows these marine mammals to move to places where they can find abundant sources of food. top: 90px; } } text-align: center; } font-size: .875em; As gray whale migration reaches its peak, scientists fear another unexplained die-off. display: table; nav#block-symbolicmigration, font-size: 0; Measuring approximately forty-nine feet (Fifteen Meters) in length, and weighing approximately 80,000 pounds (35,000 kilograms), the Gray Whale is a truly magnificent creature. list-style: none; Gray Whale #block-jnorth-branding a { When I visited the Gray Whale Census and Behaviour Project at Point Vicente centre on 8th December, it was a year to the day since the team had seen their first southbound gray whale of the previous year’s migration. Main navigation background: url("/jnorth/themes/custom/jnorth/img/icon-fb.svg") no-repeat; Each year, gray whales are welcomed seasonal visitors off the West Coast and are heralded by all as beloved icons of the Pacific. nav#block-symbolicmigration > ul, Although we didn’t see any gray whales that day it was lovely to meet census director Alisa Schulman-Janiger and her fantastic team of volunteers. nav#block-hummingbird a:hover, .jnorth-footer-uw-logo { About width: 40px; } While some whales may choose to migrate between seasons there are other species that can inhibit the same environment throughout the year. } padding-bottom: 0px; right: 0; margin-bottom: 20px; } div#block-monarchtitle, font-size: .875em; nav#block-mainnavigation a { Click list-style: none; nav#block-monarch > ul > li > a, background-position: center center; padding-top: 20px; in the cold Arctic seas. /*ul.social { The gray whale makes one of the longest of all mammalian migrations, averaging 10,000-14,000 miles (16,000-22,530 km) round trip. padding-right: .75em; In fact there are several different patterns these marine mammals are known to use depending on their species. Mystery Class box-sizing: border-box; .nav-embed * { font: 11px system-ui; color: #222; nav#block-robin > ul > li > a, content: ""; /* color: #222; */ var gcse = document.createElement('script'); list-style: none; width: 300px; } height: 96px; nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li { Gray Whale Migration A mother gray whale and her calf are on their migration path through Monterey Bay. color: #535353; padding-left: 20px; } border-bottom-color: #0074d9 !important; There are also species that do not follow a standard migration pattern and may scatter or travel to different parts of the world but gather back together during mating season. .nav-embed div#block-robintitle div, top: 0px; Newborns are fed milk for the first 6 – 8 months of their life or until they are able to hunt for food on their own. All rights reserved. Donate .jnorth-footer-learner-logo, clip: rect(0 0 0 0); Despite their large size the gray whale survives on a diet that consists primarily of small benthic crustaceans. nav#block-mainnavigation a:hover, nav#block-mainnavigation a.is-active { border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; padding-right: 20px; nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul > li > a, The placement of the ectoparasite patches on a whale, as well as the scars left by these patches are unique to each individual (much like our fingerprints are unique to each person). (NASA image edited by GA) Whale watching boats are common along … #block-jnorth-branding a img { div#block-monarchtitle, In the fall they begin their rougmile round trip migration from their summer feeding frenzy in the Arctic waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and head south along the U.S. west coast to the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. #googlesearchform { ul.social .icon-twitter { border-right-color: #0074d9 !important; margin-top: -50px; } nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li > ul.l1 { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; z-index: 9; } Your friend's email. nav#block-robin a, nav.block-project > ul > li:nth-of-type(1) { top: -100px; Symbolic Monarch Migration If a gray whale did does not migrate it may end up isolating itself from other gray whales that travel and migrate together causing the whale to be very lonely and isolated for several months. padding: 1px !important; nav#block-hummingbird > ul > li > a, .jnorth-footer-learner-logo, zoom: 1; background: url("/themes/custom/jnorth/img/icon-fb.svg") no-repeat; nav#block-hummingbird a, nav#block-mainnavigation #main-menu-toggle { margin-left: -15px; } display: inline-block; Journey North reports the text-decoration: none; } margin-right: auto; TASTE YOUR WAY ALONG THE PACIFIC COASTLINE Enjoy the journey. padding-left: 20px; All Species & Projects padding-top: 0; } #googlesearchform { In October, the whales begin to leave their feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and head south for their mating and calving lagoons in Baja California, Mexico. nav#block-robin, ul.social { .jnorth-footer * { box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); opacity: .75; nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li:last-child > a { right: 0; @media all and (min-width: 800px) { nav.block-project > ul > li > a { nav#block-mainnavigation { Throughout March gray whales that have finished mating may begin traveling back towards their feeding grounds in the eastern pacific with pregnant mothers and females that have just given birth staying behind until mid April to May before leaving. These patches are parasites, including barnacles and whale lice that thrive off the skin of the whale. background-position: cover; padding-left: 8px; } nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li { nav#block-sunlightseasons a:hover, .nav-embed div#block-sunlightseasonstitle, Gray whales make extremely long migrations, approximately 10,000 to 14,000 miles round trip between the Bering Sea and Baja California, Mexico. Yes, there are a number of other whales that are known to migrate. width: 40px; } position: absolute; margin-bottom: 20px; } ul.social a { display: block; margin-bottom: 20px; } nav#block-monarch > ul > li > a, background-size: 55% 55%; } box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); nav#block-symbolicmigration a:hover, margin-top: -1px !important; color: gray; padding-top: 10px; font-size: .875em; nav#block-tulip > ul > li, } width: 1px; Their whole body is often laced with more than 100 kilos of scars, clams, whale lice and barnacles, which kind of makes them look as if they fell into the water from the ugly tree.Nonetheless, together with humpbacks, they are the most popular and most watched whales. .nav-embed td, th { border-bottom-left-radius: 1px; z-index: 9; } The whales leave their summer feeding grounds in early fall and migrate all the way to Mexico, a distance of close to 6,000 milesone way! height: 56px; Livecam background: url("/themes/custom/jnorth/img/icon-twitter.svg") no-repeat; .jnorth-footer-uw-logo img { overflow: hidden; position: relative; nav#block-mainnavigation { Maximum length of the gray whale is 14.1 m (46 ft); females are slightly larger than the males. On the other end if these marine mammals chose to stay in their mating grounds all year long they may find it more difficult to find sufficient sources of the food they are used to eating in their feeding grounds. .jnorth-footer a:hover { For most of the year they are Arctic animals, living off … top: 61px; } font-family: 'cabinregular', sans-serif; list-style: none; } They travel we can observe the gray along its journey. overflow: hidden; nav#block-symbolicmigration > ul > li > a, clip: rect(0 0 0 0); padding-right: 15px; nav#block-mainnavigation #main-menu-toggle > span { nav#block-mainnavigation h2 { background-position: cover; However, climate changes, water temperature, depth, salinity, the topography of the sea floor and the biggest, the abundance of food, also play a major role in these events. nav#block-mainnavigation #main-menu-toggle { It is gray or black, mottled with white, and has short yellow baleen Contact .nav-embed div.primary-nav { nav#block-sunlightseasons > ul > li:nth-of-type(1), list-style: none; } padding-top: 0; nav#block-hummingbird > ul, During this migration trip the gray whale travels at an average speed of around 5 mph for two to three months until it reaches its destination. nav#block-tulip a:hover, When Whales Cross the Sea: The Gray Whale Migration: Amazon.it: Sharon Katz Cooper, Tom Leonard: Libri in altre lingue SPEDIZIONE GRATUITA su ordini idonei .nav-embed ul { width: 100%; } border-left-color: #0074d9 !important; height: 40px; nav#block-mainnavigation > ul > li > ul.l1 { #block-jnorth-footer > ul { border-bottom: 2px solid #969799; nav#block-monarch, margin-bottom: 10px; } .nav-embed .visually-hidden { In addition to fasting in order to lose blubber and maintain their pace there is also the fact that different whales consume different foods so the availability of specific food sources can change drastically from one species to the next making it easier for some whales to find food  during their migration than others. padding: 0; text-decoration: none; } margin-top: -5px; } padding-left: .75em; } Gray whales travel in groups called pods and surface to breathe. display: block; padding-bottom: 4px; nav#block-tulip > ul, Weather and Songbirds color: white !important; display: block; text-align: left; color: #535353; background-position: center center; The pregnant females are often the first whales to arrive at the mating grounds as it is extremely important for them to find protection for their soon to be newborn children from potential predators such as the killer whale and sharks, which may be interested in hunting their defenseless children. Kids. display: none; } nav.block-project > ul > li { (function() { position: absolute; color: #0074d9; background: white; width: 100%; #block-jnorth-branding { #block-monarchtitle div { The whales remain in the lagoons for 2-3 months, allowing the calves to build up a thick layer of blubbe… line-height: 1.5em; position: absolute; } .nav-embed header { border-bottom: 2px solid #969799; Some individuals live in the Strait of Juan de Fuca year round while others duck into …