A humpback whale is a massive ocean mammal known for its long flippers, distinctive humped back, and hauntingly beautiful songs. These whales can grow to about 50 feet long and weigh around 40 tons, about as heavy as eight elephants. Despite their enormous size, humpback whales are surprisingly acrobatic: they often leap completely out of the water in a behavior called breaching, crashing back down with a tremendous splash that can be heard from far away.

Humpback whales are found in oceans worldwide and undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, swimming up to 5,000 miles between their cold-water feeding grounds and warm-water breeding areas. They feed by swimming in circles while releasing bubbles, creating what scientists call a bubble net that traps schools of fish.

Male humpback whales sing complex songs that can last up to 20 minutes and be heard by other whales dozens of miles away. Scientists still don't fully understand why they sing these elaborate melodies, though it likely relates to attracting mates. Each population of humpback whales has its own unique song that changes gradually over time, almost like musical traditions passed between generations.

Once hunted nearly to extinction, humpback whale populations have recovered significantly since most commercial whaling was banned internationally in the 1960s, making them one of conservation’s great success stories.