Understanding patterns of whale migration means coming to the realization that whale life forms on our planet have developed an extremely complex whale life. Usually, the number one question that continues to crop up about whales is why do these mammals migrate all around the world’s oceans like they do?
It really doesn’t seem to be a matter of specificity when it comes to any particular species of whale and whether or not it migrates but rather, where in the world’s oceans does each particular species migrate? Some species have used ancient migration patterns in the northern hemisphere while others migrate exclusively throughout the southern hemisphere, for example.
Normally, a typical whale will spend one part of the year feeding vigorously and then begin to migrate to a part of their particular ocean in order to begin the process of mating and then giving birth to a calf. These trips from feeding grounds to mating and birthing grounds can encompass thousands of miles of travel. This is an ancient act bred deeply into each species.
A typical example of such migratory activity is the blue whale. Almost every blue whale undertakes a migration, spending the summer in cooler waters in the Northern Hemisphere and building up fat stores from extensive feeding. Come winter, though, it begins a move to the South and the warmer waters that exist there. Why, though, does a blue whale moved in this particular pattern?
Usually, the answer is that they evolved to take advantage of the more welcoming climates of the lower latitudes which would enable the species to not only mate congenially but also give birth to a calf that would have the luxury of learning from its mother before making a migration to the North in order to begin learning how to feed extensively.
What is for certain about these magnificent animals is that their lives are impressively complex and quite wonderful to behold. They can undertake migrations thousands of miles in length in order to carry out their full lives. Their behavior patterns are involved and ancient in ways we cannot understand, and these extremely intelligent mammals continue to beguile us immensely.
whale migration has long fascinated Allan Hoffland while studying whales along the East Coast of South Africa.
Tags: Animal Behavior, Animalia, Biology, Cetacea, Chordata, endangered animals, Flora and Fauna, Mammalia, Science, wildlife, Zoology
