Gray Whales
Gray Whales
Eschrichtiidae
The Gentle Giants of Migration: Gray Whales (Eschrichtiidae) are famous for their incredible migrations, traveling up to 20,000 km (12,400 miles) round-trip—one of the longest migrations of any mammal. These massive, barnacle-covered whales inhabit the North Pacific Ocean, spending summers feeding in the cold Arctic waters before heading to warmer breeding lagoons off Mexico’s Baja California in winter. Unlike other large whales, Gray Whales are bottom feeders. They use their baleen plates to filter out tiny crustaceans from the seafloor, creating mud plumes as they roll onto their sides to scoop up prey. Their scarred bodies, often covered in barnacles and whale lice, tell the story of their rugged lives, including encounters with orcas, their main predators. These whales are known for their curious and friendly nature, often approaching boats and interacting with humans in Baja’s lagoons. This behavior has made them a favorite for whale watchers. Once hunted nearly to extinction, Gray Whales have made a remarkable comeback thanks to whaling bans and conservation efforts. However, threats like climate change, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat disturbances still pose risks. Their resilience and adaptability make them a symbol of hope for marine conservation.