Arabian Sea Humpback Whale 

Arabian Sea Humpback Whale 

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Conservation; Endangered species 

Basic info:  

• IUCN status – Least Concern  
• Found – Around the world  
• The humpback whale is one of the four species of baleen whales occurring in Indian waters and it is one of the least studied species in India. 

Do you know? 

• Humpback whales are sexually dimorphic, with females tending to be slightly longer than males.  
• Their flippers are extremely long, about one-third of their total body length.  
• These whales have a small dorsal fin that can be shaped like a small hump or a triangular shaped fin.  
• Humpback whale flukes have a variable colour and have a serrated or a toothed edge. 
• They have bumps on their heads and lower jaws that have small stiff hairs. 

Pic: Humpback Whale