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How to Make a Whale Map in California

The gray whales of California are some of the more intriguing sea creatures who make their home along the West Coast. In fact, whale-watching has become a popular activity among people who yearn for a glimpse of this impressive but elusive animal. The gray whale grows up to 40 feet and can weigh 40 tons. It migrates up and down the coast between its northern and southern habitats. In California, the peak whale-watching season is from December to May.

Instructions

- 1
  Obtain a map of California. You can photocopy a map from an atlas or print a map from the Internet.
- 2
  Use pens or pencils of different colors to chart whale migration. According to the Monterrey County Government website, whales travel north-bound from the Baja Pensinsula to northern Alaska. Mark this route with arrows of one color. Their south-bound route is from Alaska back down the coast to the Baja region. Mark this path with a differently colored arrow.
- 3
  Consult information about whale sightings and whale migration clusters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes such research.
- 4
  Call whale watching tour companies for information about recent sightings, or consult their websites. There are many such companies in southern California and elsewhere in the state. Plot sightings on your map with a corresponding date.

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