Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenopteridae
April, May, October and November
ID characteristics
Large, uniquely shaped body with black or dark grey upper side Extremely long arm-like black or white flippers Head rather slender in profile, flat and covered with knobs and often with barnacles
Broad flukes with irregular, curved and ragged trailing edge.
Surface behaviour
Shows little fear of boats and may be highly inquisitive.
Usually very active at surface, breaching, lobtailing and slapping with its tail or flippers.
Distribution
Worldwide, between parallels 65º North and 80º South, though with separate populations.
Widely distributed in all oceans.
Social
1 to 3 individuals
Diet
Krill, crustaceans and fish
Biometrics
Max length: 18 m
Adult weight: 25 to 30 ton
Blow
Broad bushy blow up to 3 meters high
IUCN Status: Least concerned
Madeira frequency status: Rare
Other languages common names
GER - Buckelwal FRA - Baleine à bosse, Jubarte, Mégaptère, Rorqual à bosse, Rorqual du Cap ESP - Yubarta, Ballena Jorobada, Gubarte SWE - Knölval DAN - Pukkelhval ITA - Megattera, Balena gobba NED - Bultrug NOR - Knølkval, Knølhval, POL - Długopłetwiec
POR - Baleia de bossa, Baleia jubarte, Baleia preta, Baleia corcunda, Baleia cantora
