Gray Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Cetacea · Eschrichtiidae
About
The gray whale, also known as the grey whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. It reaches a length of 14.9–15.2 m (49–50 ft), a weight of up to 41 to 45 tonnes and lives between 55 and 70 years, although one female was estimated to be 75–80 years of age. One of the longest-living Gray whales currently is a female, first sighted in 1977, and estimated to be 53–55 years old as of 2024. The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. Gray whales were once called devil fish because of their fighting behavior when hunted. The gray whale is the sole living species in the genus Eschrichtius. It is the sole living genus in the family Eschrichtiidae, however some recent studies classify it as a member of the family Balaenopteridae. This mammal is descended from filter-feeding whales that appeared during the Neogene.
Fun Fact
Gray whales make the longest annual migration of any mammal — up to 20,000 km (12,400 miles) round trip between Arctic feeding grounds and Mexican calving lagoons.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Coastal waters
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
55-70 years
Threats
- Shipping Traffic
- Overfishing