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Large mammals
Grey whale
Grey whale · Eschrichtius robustus
Grey whales impress on their long migrations with powerful blows and rough, scarred skin, often very close to the coast.
Fact file
- Size
- Up to 15 metres long and about 40 tonnes in weight
- Males and females
- Females grow slightly larger than males
- Sounds
- Grunting, clicking and wheezing sounds under water
- Diet
- Feeds on the seabed, mainly on small crustaceans and worms
- Offspring
- After a gestation period of 13 months, one calf; birth usually between January and March
How to identify Grey whale
Grey whales stand out thanks to their massive, cylindrical bodies and their striking grey to slate-grey skin. Their bodies are often covered with light patches, parasites and scars caused by barnacles and copepods. Because they lack a dorsal fin, a low, knobbly ridge followed by several small humps runs along the rear third of the back.
Adult grey whales reach lengths of 12 to 15 metres and can weigh up to 40 tonnes. Their broad head and clearly upturned mouth are distinctive. The powerful tail fluke looks almost straight-edged and the pectoral flippers appear paddle-shaped and angular.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- 5 places where you can see Grey whale
Where Grey whale live
Discover Grey whale on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
