Infraorder Cetartiodactyla
Family Eschrichtiidae
Scientific Name
Eschrichtius robustus
Other Names
The desert whale
Thumbnail Description
Gray whales make the longest known migration of any mammal. Travel as much as 10,000–12,000 mi (16,000– 19,300 km)
Size and Weight
LENGTH: 43–46 ft (13–14.1 m)
WEIGHT: 44,000–81,500 lb (20,000–37,000 kg)
Habitat
Shallow coastal waters
Distribution
Baltic Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts (southern Europe), North Africa, eastern coast of North America
Diet
Amphipods including Ampelisca macrocephala, clams, crabs, marine worms, mysid shrimp, pelagic porcelain crab larvae, and benthic ghost shrimp
Reproduction
1
Population
22,000 (1994)
Lifespan
Max. 70 years
Speed
8 mph (13 km/hr)
Sounds
Pulses, clangs, pops, croaks, moans, rapid upsweeps, grunting and groaning
Nature
Migratory
Predator
Orca
Conservation Status
Least Concern
