humpback whale

humpback whale

noun

Definition of HUMPBACK WHALE

: a large baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that is black above and white below and has very long flippers, and fleshy tubercles along the snout

Illustration of HUMPBACK WHALE

First Known Use of HUMPBACK WHALE

1725

Rhymes with HUMPBACK WHALE

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humpback whale

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching.—Al Giddings/Images Unlimited

Long-finned baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). They live along all major ocean coasts, sometimes swimming close inshore or even into harbours and up rivers. Humpbacks grow to 40–52 ft (12–16 m) long. They are black above, with some white below, and have large knobs on the head and jaws. The humpback migrates between polar waters in summer and tropical or subtropical breeding grounds in winter. It feeds on shrimplike crustaceans, small fish, and plankton. It is probably the most vocal of all whales (with “songs” of 5–35 minutes) and one of the most acrobatic (capable of turning a somersault). Much reduced in number by overhunting, humpbacks have been protected worldwide since the 1960s, and some populations seem to be increasing.