Gray Whale Facts: 10 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know
2021-02-04
There’s no shortage of amazing gray whale facts to discover, from record-breaking migrations to why they’re known as the friendliest whales on Earth. To celebrate these gentle giants, we’ve pulled together 10 fun facts about gray whales. So, if you’re wondering how fast they swim, why they were once called the “devil fish,” or what makes them unique, read on for a Gray Whale 101 you won’t forget.
What Are Gray Whales? An Overview of the Species
Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) are large baleen whales and the only living members of the family Eschrichtiidae. You can spot them by their mottled gray skin, the absence of a dorsal fin, and the knuckled ridges that run along their backs. Unlike most whales, gray whales are bottom feeders, rolling onto their sides to scoop up sediment and filter out small crustaceans with their baleen. Found throughout the North Pacific, they’re best known for completing the longest migration of any mammal on Earth — a remarkable journey that truly sets them apart in the whale world.
Gray Whale Facts:
1. The Ocean’s Heavyweights
Gray whales (Eshrichtius robustus) reach 40-50 feet in length and can weigh as much as 45 tons. That’s the equivalent of about 8 African elephants or 60 cows! These giants outlive their barnyard counterparts, with an average lifespan of 55–70 years compared to just 22 years for cows.
2. World’s Longest Mammal Migration
Gray whales in Baja hold the record for the longest known migration of any mammal on Earth! Swimming an incredible 5,000–6,000 miles from the frigid Arctic Ocean to the warm waters of Baja California Sur.
Over several weeks they make their way south at a speed of just 2–6 miles per hour. Eventually, arriving at San Ignacio Lagoon, where they mate, give birth, and raise their calves. The best time for whale waching in Baja is typically from January to April.
The lagoon is a designated UNESCO Heritage Site, and one of the last undeveloped gray whale birthing sites on the planet—a true sanctuary for these gentle giants and their young.
3. Why Are San Ignacio’s Gray Whales Friendly?
Usually incredibly shy, the gray whales in San Ignacio Lagoon are uncommonly curious. In fact, we affectionately called them the “friendly ones”. The first report of this friendly behaviour came in 1972 when local fisherman Pachico had a first close-up encounter with a gray whale. Since then, locals have referred to him as the abuelo or grandfather of whales. While we aren’t sure why, it seems mothers pass this unique whale culture to their young, and being part of it is truly magical. Looking a 45-foot gray whale in the eye is a truly life-changing experience.
4. The Only Place On Earth You Can Pet a Whale
You might have heard whispers about the legendary lagoon, where gray whales swim right up to boats for a curious look. Sometimes guests even experience touching gray whales! While wildlife is usually best appreciated from a distance, San Ignacio Lagoon is unique for its close-up whale encounters. Rest assured that protecting this whale nursery comes first and foremost. This means we don’t chase interaction; the whales approach our pangas to be stroked and petted, and they seem to enjoy it just as much as humans do.
Related Reading: ‘Whale Watching in San Ignacio Lagoon: Where the Gray Whales Call the Shots’
5. San Ignacio: Baby Whale Nursery
Most females will begin to calve at around eight to nine years old, and will birth a single calf every two years. Pregnant females are the first whales to arrive in San Ignacio, and their pregnancy lasts 13 months. Gray whale calves are generally born in the sheltered lagoons of Baja California around January. It appears that mothers choose these protected, shallow bays to protect their young from predators, such as sharks and orcas.
6. Newborn Gray Whales Calves
Baby gray whales, otherwise known as calves, are anything but tiny. A newborn tips the scales at around 2,000 pounds and can measure up to 15 feet long. That’s roughly the size of a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle or a pair of grand pianos! Despite their size, calves are still dependent on their mothers, nursing up to 50 gallons of rich, fatty milk every day for about seven months. When leaving Baja’s lagoons, these “babies” need to be strong enough to tackle the long migration north alongside their mothers.
7. What Sets Gray Whales Apart
Gray whales are baleen whales, meaning they filter their food through comb-like plates that hang from the upper jaw. Amazingly, these baleen plates are made of keratin, the same material as human hair and fingernails. Unlike most other baleen whales, gray whales are primarily bottom feeders. They scoop up big mouthfuls of sediment from the seafloor and strain out small crustaceans. However, they are also known to skim plankton from the surface just like other baleen whales, especially in their northern feeding grounds.
8. Gray Whale Facts: Why No Two Look Alike
These gray whale facts may be interesting but how would you actually identify a gray whale if you saw one? You can easily recognize gray whales by their mottled skin, marked with scars, and clusters of barnacles and lice. These rough textures and colorful markings aren’t just striking to see but are unique to each individual. Much like human fingerprints, scientists use these patterns to identify and track whales throughout their vast migrations.
9. The Devil Fish: Gray Whale History
Sadly, our history with gray whales has not always been a harmonious one. Back in the 1800s, gray whales were hunted relentlessly, especially in whaling hotspots like Magdalena Bay. Their fierce resistance earned them the nickname “devil fish.” Unlike the gentle giants we know today, these whales fought back against whalers’ harpoons. Mother whales were especially fearless, even ramming boats in defense of their calves. Thankfully, gray whales have been protected from commercial whaling since 1949, and their populations have made a remarkable recovery.
10. Gray Whale Population: A Conservation Success Story
Wondering how many gray whales are left today? The current Eastern North Pacific population has made a remarkable recovery to around 20,000 individuals. Gray whales were removed from the Endangered Species List in 1994 because the population is now considered stable. In contrast, Western Pacific gray whales still face threats from fishing and oil and gas exploration. They only number about 250 individuals and are considered critically endangered.
Gray whales never fail to amaze us, and we’re sure there are even more fun facts out there—share your favorites with us!
Gray Whale Facts: FAQs
Let’s fill in the gaps with answers to some frequently asked questions about gray whales.
Where do gray whales live?
Gray whales live in the North Pacific Ocean. The eastern population migrates seasonally between the Arctic and Baja California, while a much smaller western population is found near Russia and parts of East Asia.
What do gray whales eat?
Gray whales mainly eat small bottom-dwelling creatures like amphipods and shrimp, scooping them up from the seafloor and filtering them through their baleen.
How do gray whales behave?
Gray whales are curious, social, and surprisingly interactive, often approaching boats and displaying complex communication. On gray whale watching tours you can observe them swimming, breaching and spy-hopping. In birthing lagoons, like San Ignacio, you may even witness their strong mother-calf bonds.
Why do gray whales migrate such long distances?
They migrate to mate, give birth and raise their calves in warm, protected waters, then return north to feed in the Arctic’s rich summer seas. Gray whale migration is a fascinating subject therefore we can’t talk about it all here, discover more with ‘Why Do Gray Whales Migrate to Baja Mexico?’.
What makes gray whales unique compared to other whale species?
Gray whales are unique for their bottom-feeding behavior and mottled gray skin that is covered in sea lice and barnacles. Not to mention they have the longest known migration of any mammal on Earth.
Whale Watching Tours – Plan Your Visit
Want to turn your curiosity into a real-life experience?
Discover the magic of San Ignacio Lagoon on a guided whale watching tour with Baja Expeditions.
San Ignacio Lagoon
San Ignacio Lagoon: the world’s best place for up-close encounters with gray whales.
More than 1,000 gray whales pass through the lagoon over the course of the season.
Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas
Sample Baja California with a one day tour. Go whale watching, discover scuba diving or swim with sea lions at the spectacular Isla Espiritu Santo.
Baja’s Ultimate Whales
The great whales come home to Baja every winter. Our ultimate whale trips combine whale watching and snorkelling with sea lions and whale sharks, all with in the beautiful Sea of Cortez.
