humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Original caption: "Buckelwal, Megaptera nodosa Bonnat,., springend. 1/150 natürlicher Größe."
Translation (partly): "Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, jumping. 1/150 natural size."
Size: 5.0 x 3.0 in² (12.6 x 7.7 cm²)
Originator: Unknown
Source: Brehms Tierleben, Small Edition 1927
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buckelwal-drawing.jpg
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 m and weigh about 36,000 kg. The humpback whale has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating. Order: Artiodactyla, Infraorder: Cetacea, Family: Balaenopteridae, Genus: Megaptera, Species: Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781.
Synonyms:
Balaena gibbosa Erxleben, 1777
Balaena boops Fabricius, 1780
Balaena nodosa Bonnaterre, 1789
Balaena longimana Rudolphi, 1832
Megaptera longimana Gray, 1846
Kyphobalaena longimana Van Beneden, 1861
Megaptera versabilis Cope, 1869