Whales

Míolta móra

Did you know that Ireland, especially the southwest and west coast, is the best place in Europe to go whale watching?

Some of the whales you see along the Irish coast are the minke whale, the humpback whale and the fin whale.

Fin Whale

In this picture the head and beak of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) can be seen. The blow, a distinctive characteristic, can reach a height of 6m and can be seen for a great distance on windless days. The head of the fin whale is v-shaped and grey coloured. The beak is narrow and pointed. One of the diagnostic features for fin whales is the colouration of their baleen and lower lip. On the right hand side of the whale both are coloured white, as seen in the image, and on the left hand side (unseen) they are both dark coloured. Fin whales are the second largest animal species on the planet, with their average size being 19-20.5m in length, second only to the blue whale. Although Fins generally stay in deep waters they can move to within viewing range of our headlands when feeding opportunities arise. To date most sightings have been in the Cork and Waterford area. This may be due to increased observer effort by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group in this area. Researchers in Cornell university suggest that 300-500 fin whales pass through Irish waters each year.

Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Coutresty of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Fin Whale
Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Coutresty of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Fin Whale

In this picture the head and beak of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) can be seen. The blow, a distinctive characteristic, can reach a height of 6m and can be seen for a great distance on windless days. The head of the fin whale is v-shaped and grey coloured. The beak is narrow and pointed. One of the diagnostic features for fin whales is the colouration of their baleen and lower lip. On the right hand side of the whale both are coloured white, as seen in the image, and on the left hand side (unseen) they are both dark coloured. Fin whales are the second largest animal species on the planet, with their average size being 19-20.5m in length, second only to the blue whale. Although Fins generally stay in deep waters they can move to within viewing range of our headlands when feeding opportunities arise. To date most sightings have been in the Cork and Waterford area. This may be due to increased observer effort by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group in this area. Researchers in Cornell university suggest that 300-500 fin whales pass through Irish waters each year.

Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Coutresty of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Enlarge image

The most common one seen is the fin whale. It has a v-shaped head and is the second largest living animal on earth, the blue whale being the largest.

A fin whale can grow up to twenty-four metres in length, in comparison to the minke whale which only grows to about 2.6 metres.

Did you know that a fin whale's life expectancy is ninety years?

Humpback Whale

This image depicts the fluke of a diving humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in dark grey sea. The fluke is dark grey/black colour, with a white edge. The distinctive scars on the fluke can be used to aide in the identification of an individual whale. The technique, known as photo-identification has been used by the IWDG to positively ID a humpback whale which has returned to the same area of West Cork at the same time of year, three years running. The tip of the fluke is covered with barnacles. Adult humpbacks can range in length from 11-16m. Scientists believe that humpbacks use the deep waters of the Rockall trench as a migration corridor, but individuals have been spotted in Irish waters of the south and west coasts. In addition humpbacks have been observed inshore in the Autumn/winter period in recent years along the south coast. Due to over exploitation of this species humpbacks are considered an endangered species in the Atlantic. A single calf is born very 2-3 years.

Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Courtesy of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Humpback Whale
Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Courtesy of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Humpback Whale

This image depicts the fluke of a diving humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in dark grey sea. The fluke is dark grey/black colour, with a white edge. The distinctive scars on the fluke can be used to aide in the identification of an individual whale. The technique, known as photo-identification has been used by the IWDG to positively ID a humpback whale which has returned to the same area of West Cork at the same time of year, three years running. The tip of the fluke is covered with barnacles. Adult humpbacks can range in length from 11-16m. Scientists believe that humpbacks use the deep waters of the Rockall trench as a migration corridor, but individuals have been spotted in Irish waters of the south and west coasts. In addition humpbacks have been observed inshore in the Autumn/winter period in recent years along the south coast. Due to over exploitation of this species humpbacks are considered an endangered species in the Atlantic. A single calf is born very 2-3 years.

Copyright Pádraig Whooley; Courtesy of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Enlarge image

Do you know why its called a humpback whale?

Before it dives into the water, it will bend its back and raise it up. This creates a hump on its back, just in front of its dorsal fin, giving it the name 'humpback whale'!

The male humpback whale is also well known for 'singing' underwater. This is thought to be a territorial display.

Like the dolphin, the minke whale and the humpback whale are both quite curious, inquisitive animals and may approach boats.

Have you ever seen a whale off the coast of Ireland?