Humpback Whale for Kids Ages 3-12

Humpback Whale

A Humpback Whale tells his life story, from his birth in the warm waters of Hawaii to his long migrations to Alaska. He describes his unique features, his method of bubble-net feeding, and his famous songs that humans first heard in 1970. He also shares the story of his species' comeback from near extinction, thanks to protections put in place in 1966, and explains his important role in the ocean ecosystem.

First scientifically named 1781

International Whaling Commission Protection 1966

Discovery of Whale Songs 1967

The Whale with the Big Wings

Hello from the deep blue sea! My name is Megaptera, but you probably know me as a Humpback Whale. I am one of the biggest animals on Earth, and my body is as long as a school bus. My most famous features are my super-long pectoral fins, which are like giant arms that help me steer through the water. They are so impressive that they inspired my scientific name, Megaptera, which means 'big-winged.' Another special thing about me is the pattern on the underside of my tail. Just like your fingerprint, the black-and-white markings on my tail are unique to me, and scientists can use them to tell me apart from other whales. I was born in the cozy, warm waters near Hawaii. It was the perfect place to start my life. My mom fed me rich, fatty milk that helped me grow strong and put on a thick layer of blubber to keep me warm for the adventures ahead.

When I was strong enough, my mom and I began our first great migration. It was a very long trip, thousands of miles from the warm waves of Hawaii all the way to the chilly, food-filled waters of Alaska. The journey was long, but I stayed close to my mom the whole time. In Alaska, the water was bursting with my favorite foods: tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill and small schools of fish. I am a baleen whale, which means I don’t have teeth like you do. Instead, I have special bristly plates in my mouth that act like a giant filter. I take a huge gulp of water and then push it out through my baleen, trapping all the yummy krill and fish inside. My pod and I have a clever way of hunting together called 'bubble-net feeding.' We swim in a circle below a school of fish, blowing bubbles as we go. The bubbles rise and form a 'net' that traps the fish, making it easy for all of us to swim up through the middle and get a big meal.

Life in the ocean isn’t just about eating and traveling. I love to play! One of my favorite things to do is leap completely out of the water in a move called a breach. It makes a huge splash when I land, and it’s a way I can 'talk' to other whales from far away. I also slap my long fins and my powerful tail on the surface of the water to make different sounds. While it might look like I’m dancing, these are all ways I communicate. As a male whale, I am also known for my singing. My songs are very long and complex, with different parts that I repeat in a pattern. I learn these songs from other males in my pod, and they can echo for miles through the ocean. Humans didn't always know about our music, but in 1970, an album called 'Songs of the Humpback Whale' was released. For the first time, people could hear our beautiful, mysterious songs, and it helped them see us in a new way.

My story has not always been a happy one. Many years ago, during the 1800s and the early 1900s, my ancestors faced a very difficult time. Humans hunted them, and our numbers became very, very small. It was a dark chapter for humpback whales, and we were in danger of disappearing forever. But then, people began to understand the harm that was being done, and things started to change for the better. A very important decision was made in 1966 to protect us from commercial hunting. This gave our families a chance to recover and grow. It took a long time, but with this protection, our populations slowly began to increase. I am proud to say that by 2016, many humpback whale populations around the world, including the one I belong to, were no longer considered endangered.

My Place in the Big Blue
My journey is a reminder of the important job I have in the ocean. By eating tons of krill and small fish, I help keep the ocean's food web in balance, making sure no single group of animals becomes too numerous. My story is one of hope. It shows that even when a species is in trouble, people can work together to make a positive change. I am still swimming in the world's oceans today, making my long migrations and singing my songs that travel across the water. My presence is a living reminder that recovery is possible and that the future can be brighter when we choose to protect the amazing creatures of our planet.