Hobbies And Interests
Migration Purpose
All over the world many types of animals migrate from one area to another, as a means for survival. Most often this migration is to find shelter, food and water or to breed. How and where a particular species will migrate varies greatly upon its unique survival needs. As a result, many animals can travel hundreds and thousands of miles through perilous conditions, in order to reach their desired destination. For example, many whales migrating to and from Bar Harbor travel as much as 3,000 miles.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are some of the most beloved whales for sightseers. Each humpback whale has unique tail markings making the whales distinguishable from one another. Humpbacks are also distinguishable by the round bumps on their heads, each with a single hair. These bumps give the whale its sense of touch, much like whiskers do for cats. The humpback is believed to travel the farthest when migrating to and from the Northern and Southern hemispheres each season, traveling as much as one-quarter of the earth's surface
Finback and Minke Whales
Other species of great whales also migrate to Bar Harbor including the finback and minke whales. The finback is considered the second largest whale, with males averaging 78 feet in length. Although they weigh as much as 50 to 70 tons, finbacks are considered the fastest whales, traveling at speeds of 23 miles per hour. By comparison, the minke whale is the smallest great whale, averaging only 35 feet in length. It can dive underwater for an average of 15 minutes at a time.
Right Whales
Right whales -- another species of great whales that migrates to Bar Harbor -- have the largest head of any whale, which averages one-third the size of its entire body. They originally got their name from the whalers who considered them the "right" whale to hunt for their oil and baleen. As a result of being overhunted, the right whale is the most endangered species with only several hundred still in existence.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine, on the New England coast, is a famed spot for whales due to the abundance of food available to them. It is a rich feeding ground for mackerel, herring, krill and many other types of schooling fish, which are the whales' staple diet. As a result, during the 18th and 19th centuries this area was known for its successful whaling industry. Presently, as whales have come to be revered, it has become a notable destination for tourists and biologists to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants.