Watching the Whales

Though hunted to near extinction in the mid-1800s,, the Pacific gray whale population has grown to more than 20,000, permitting its recent removal from the endangered species list.

As their species has done for thousands of years, today’s gray whales make the 11,000-mile round trip from frigid arctic seas to warm Baja California lagoons. The whales, traveling up to 100 miles a day, complete the southward part of the journey in eight to 10 weeks. In the shallow waters of Baja’s San Ignacio and Scammon lagoons and Magdalena Bay, the whales will mate or give birth to claves conceived the previous year.

Southern California residents can view the migration of these gentle giants from December to February and again as they return to the north from February through March.

Where to Watch

The 24th annual Festival of Whales at Dana Point will be held Saturday through March 5. The Orange County Marine Institute will host cruises aboard the new RV Sea Explorer. Daily events will include whale-watching excursions and children’s activities. Call (800) 290-DANA.

Other organizations offering whale-watching trips:

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers two-hour trips through the end of March, with naturalists on board. Call (310) 832-2676 between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has scheduled trips with naturalists on the 88-foot Condor March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 departing from the Sea Landing in Santa Barbara Harbor. Call (805) 682-4711

Behavior

Spouting: When a whale surfaces to breathe, it exhales with great force, sending up a six-to 12-foot spout of warm, condensed air and sea water.

Sounding: After a series of shallow dives, whales often dive deeper, known as sounding. Tail fins, called flukes, are thrown clear of the water.

Spyhopping: With flukes pointing downward, gray whales sometime extend the head above the surface as though scanning their surroundings.

Breaching: For reasons unknown--perhaps to communicate or just to play--a gray whale can propel up to three-quarters of its body out of the water, crashing with a tremendous splash.

Characteristics

Eschrichtius robustus (Common names: California gray whale, Pacific gray whale)

Length: Up to 45 feet, 15 feet at birth.

Weight: 35 to 50 tons at maturity; about one ton at birth.

Gestation: About 12 months. Most females calve every other year.

Life span: 30 to 40 years

Social behavior: During migration, whales travel in small groups called pods. Calving and mating seasons are spent among groups of as many as 20 whales.

* Unlike those of fish, the whales’ tail fins are horizontal and move up and down to propel them through the water at about 6 m.p.h.

* Calves grow quickly feeding on mother’s milk, which is more than 50% fat.

Migration Routes

Southbound migration: (October to February)

Northbound migration: (January to July)

Primary summer feeding area--Arctic seas: (June-October)

Primary winter mating and calving area--Baja California: (January to April)

Source: World Book Encyclopedia, Peterson Guide to Mammals, American Cetacean Society, National Geographic Society. The Gray Whale Pocket Guide by Forrest Doud; Research by KRIS HOFMANN and TREVOR JOHNSTON / Los Angeles Times