Family: Eschrichtidae, Gray Whales view all from this family

Description To 46' (14 m). Viewed from above, body tapered at both ends; mottled gray, may appear uniformly slate-blue or white from surface. Baleen plates short, yellowish to white with yellowish-white bristles. Head narrowly triangular, sloping steeply downward from paired blowholes; long mouth line curving upward slightly; 2-5 deep lengthwise throat grooves. Back has low hump two-thirds of way from snout tip to flukes, followed by serrated ridge. No ventral grooves.

Similar Species Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus), Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis), and Sperm Whale (Physeter catodon) lack obvious mottling, color relatively uniform.

Habitat Generally coastal waters. Migrate close to shore, calve in shallow southern lagoons. Some move further offshore in summer.

Range From Bering and Chukchi seas to Baja California.

Discussion Most Gray Whales calve in Mexico waters. As with all cetaceans, the young are born underwater and are immediately able to swim on their own. However, the calves depend on a diet of rich milk for at least 6 months. Early whalers called the Gray Whale the Devilfish because females strongly defend their calves against enemies, including Killer Whales (Orcinus orca), sharks, and people. Gray Whales grub along the bottom for gammarid amphipods, the staple of their diet, and leave a cloud behind them as they move. Their spout is not distinctive.