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GRAY WHALE
Eschrichtius robustus
The most commonly seen baleen whale on the Central Coast, the gray whale passes close to our
shores twice yearly while traveling 12,000 miles each year between its Arctic feeding grounds and the
calving grounds of Baja California, Mexico. From November through January, they travel the inshore
ocean waters southward. February through June, they are closer to shore on their northward migration.
The gray whale is the only member of the family Eschrichtiidae. Often seen from shore, gray whales
provide a unique opportunity for land and boat observation, and commercial whale watching has become
a major industry along its migration route. Virg's Landing in Morro Bay offers whale-watching excursions
throughout the migration season.
Increasingly people are choosing to observe these leviathans from shore as concern mounts that
whale-watching boat traffic may be harmful to the whales. Head out to the coastal bluffs of Cambria or
Montana de Oro State Park. These bluffs are freely accessible to anyone (and no boats means no
seasickness!).
Eschrichtius robustus
The most commonly seen baleen whale on the Central Coast, the gray whale passes close to our
shores twice yearly while traveling 12,000 miles each year between its Arctic feeding grounds and the
calving grounds of Baja California, Mexico. From November through January, they travel the inshore
ocean waters southward. February through June, they are closer to shore on their northward migration.
The gray whale is the only member of the family Eschrichtiidae. Often seen from shore, gray whales
provide a unique opportunity for land and boat observation, and commercial whale watching has become
a major industry along its migration route. Virg's Landing in Morro Bay offers whale-watching excursions
throughout the migration season.
Increasingly people are choosing to observe these leviathans from shore as concern mounts that
whale-watching boat traffic may be harmful to the whales. Head out to the coastal bluffs of Cambria or
Montana de Oro State Park. These bluffs are freely accessible to anyone (and no boats means no
seasickness!).
The gray whale received its name from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. On the skin
are many scratches, scattered patches of white barnacles, and orange whale lice. Newborn calves are
dark gray to black, although some may have distinctive white markings. Adults of both sexes weigh 30-40
tons
Gray whales feed on small crustaceans such as amphipods, and tube worms found in bottom
sediments. They feed primarily during the summer months of long daylight hours in the cold Arctic waters
of the Bering and Chukchi seas.
A gray whale can stay submerged up to 15 minutes, and travel at 3-6 miles per hour. Mothers are very
protective of their calves, and earned the name "Devilfish" from early whalers in the lagoons because of
their violent defensive behaviors. Orcas (killer whales) are a cause of gray whale deaths, and many gray
whales have orca teeth scars on their flukes.
At one time there were three gray whale populations: a north Atlantic population, now extinct, possibly the
victims of over-hunting; a Korean or western north Pacific stock now very depleted, also possibly from
over-hunting; and the eastern north Pacific population, the largest surviving population. Hunted to the
edge of extinction in the 1850's after the discovery of the calving lagoons, and again in the early 1900's
with the introduction of floating factories, the gray whale was given partial protection in 1937 and full
protection in 1947 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Since that time the eastern north
Pacific gray whale population has made a remarkable recovery and now numbers between 19,000 and
23,000, probably close to their original population size.
are many scratches, scattered patches of white barnacles, and orange whale lice. Newborn calves are
dark gray to black, although some may have distinctive white markings. Adults of both sexes weigh 30-40
tons
Gray whales feed on small crustaceans such as amphipods, and tube worms found in bottom
sediments. They feed primarily during the summer months of long daylight hours in the cold Arctic waters
of the Bering and Chukchi seas.
A gray whale can stay submerged up to 15 minutes, and travel at 3-6 miles per hour. Mothers are very
protective of their calves, and earned the name "Devilfish" from early whalers in the lagoons because of
their violent defensive behaviors. Orcas (killer whales) are a cause of gray whale deaths, and many gray
whales have orca teeth scars on their flukes.
At one time there were three gray whale populations: a north Atlantic population, now extinct, possibly the
victims of over-hunting; a Korean or western north Pacific stock now very depleted, also possibly from
over-hunting; and the eastern north Pacific population, the largest surviving population. Hunted to the
edge of extinction in the 1850's after the discovery of the calving lagoons, and again in the early 1900's
with the introduction of floating factories, the gray whale was given partial protection in 1937 and full
protection in 1947 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Since that time the eastern north
Pacific gray whale population has made a remarkable recovery and now numbers between 19,000 and
23,000, probably close to their original population size.
Whaling is part of the history of the Central Coast. By 1852, a whaling station was established at the
natural harbor found at San Simeon Point. Instead of using large ships, the whalers practiced shore
whaling. Whale watchers would stand on the bluffs and look for the telltale white plume of spray as the
whale surfaced to breathe. When the whales were spotted, small boats were used to capture and harvest
the whales. The whales were brought to the whaling station, and the oil was processed in huge trypots for
shipment to San Francisco. One of the trypots can be seen at the Visitor's Center at the Hearst San
Simeon State Historical Monument. Some of the actual harpoons used by the whalers can be seen at
Sebastian's Store in San Simeon.
As early as 1864, Captain Joseph Clark had located at San Simeon and was engaged in whaling for
profit. By 1878, he possessed five whale boats, two of them thirty feet long. The captain usually employed
ten men and up to twenty during the whaling season, which ran from November until April. The greatest
catch of whales for a single season was twenty-three, the least three.
During its whaling period, about twenty-two families lived at San Simeon Point. Most of them were
employed by the whaling industry. There were no roads to this area. Most visitors and freight arrived by
sailing ship at a crude wharf. In rough weather, passengers would land with the aid of a rope chair.
By 1878, the whaling industry had declined. Without sufficient employment, the old village at San Simeon
Point began to disappear. Sebastian's general store was moved on horse-drawn skids to its present site,
which became the new location of the village of San Simeon.
natural harbor found at San Simeon Point. Instead of using large ships, the whalers practiced shore
whaling. Whale watchers would stand on the bluffs and look for the telltale white plume of spray as the
whale surfaced to breathe. When the whales were spotted, small boats were used to capture and harvest
the whales. The whales were brought to the whaling station, and the oil was processed in huge trypots for
shipment to San Francisco. One of the trypots can be seen at the Visitor's Center at the Hearst San
Simeon State Historical Monument. Some of the actual harpoons used by the whalers can be seen at
Sebastian's Store in San Simeon.
As early as 1864, Captain Joseph Clark had located at San Simeon and was engaged in whaling for
profit. By 1878, he possessed five whale boats, two of them thirty feet long. The captain usually employed
ten men and up to twenty during the whaling season, which ran from November until April. The greatest
catch of whales for a single season was twenty-three, the least three.
During its whaling period, about twenty-two families lived at San Simeon Point. Most of them were
employed by the whaling industry. There were no roads to this area. Most visitors and freight arrived by
sailing ship at a crude wharf. In rough weather, passengers would land with the aid of a rope chair.
By 1878, the whaling industry had declined. Without sufficient employment, the old village at San Simeon
Point began to disappear. Sebastian's general store was moved on horse-drawn skids to its present site,
which became the new location of the village of San Simeon.
| Humpback Whale Photo by Monterey Whale Watch |
Humpback Whale
Both humpback and blue whales visit
Central Coast waters in the summer and
fall in search of krill, their favorite prey.
Humpbacks also dive for suid, anchovies
and sardines.
Both humpback and blue whales visit
Central Coast waters in the summer and
fall in search of krill, their favorite prey.
Humpbacks also dive for suid, anchovies
and sardines.
Orca
Killer whales, or Orcas,
visit the Central Coast
year-round, but most
frequently in the spring.
They follow the
migrations of the gray
whales, feeding on the
calves.
Killer whales, or Orcas,
visit the Central Coast
year-round, but most
frequently in the spring.
They follow the
migrations of the gray
whales, feeding on the
calves.
Whales
The number of gray whale calves counted by scientists at Point Piedras Blancas
plummeted this year to 115, down from 285 in 2006. That is the fourth-lowest count in the 14 years the
cetacean census has been taken. The most gray whale calves counted at Piedras Blancas was 456 in
2004, just three years after the low of 87 in 2001. The counts fluctuate year to year, based in part on actual
variations in the population and changeable weather conditions that can make it more difficult to spot the
whales. Fewer calves this were expected this year due to thick ice in the Arctic seas, the gray whale’s
summer feeding grounds. The thick ice makes it more difficult for cows to eat enough to support a
successful pregnancy.
plummeted this year to 115, down from 285 in 2006. That is the fourth-lowest count in the 14 years the
cetacean census has been taken. The most gray whale calves counted at Piedras Blancas was 456 in
2004, just three years after the low of 87 in 2001. The counts fluctuate year to year, based in part on actual
variations in the population and changeable weather conditions that can make it more difficult to spot the
whales. Fewer calves this were expected this year due to thick ice in the Arctic seas, the gray whale’s
summer feeding grounds. The thick ice makes it more difficult for cows to eat enough to support a
successful pregnancy.
Blue Whales can be seen in Big Sur June through October, during times of abundant krill. It is
scarcely possible to imagine the size of the blue whale, the largest animal inhabiting the earth. There
are records of individuals over 100 feet, but 70-90 feet is probably average. An average weight for an
adult is 200,000-300,000 pounds (100-150 tons). Its heart alone is as large as a small car.
Blue whales are an overall blue-gray color, mottled with light gray. Cold water diatoms sometimes give
their bellies a yellowish tinge, giving the blue whale its nick-name of "Sulfur bottom." Blue whales are
long and streamlined. The dorsal fin is extremely small, and the pectoral flippers are long and thin.Blue
whales swim individually or in small groups. Pairs are very commonly seen.
Blue whales are rorqual whales, a family of baleen whales with pleated throat grooves that expand
when the animal takes in water while feeding. More than 55-68 throat grooves extend from the throat to
the navel. The favorite food of these giants is krill, or shrimp-like euphasiids, that are up to three inches
long. Blues must eat one to two tons of krill a day during the feeding season. They concentrate on
feeding during the polar summers, and migrate to warmer waters in the winter. Blue whale baleen is
black.
Gestation lasts about one year, and at birth, the blue whale calf is about 23 feet long and weighs
5,000-6,000 pounds. A nursing blue whale mother produces over 50 gallons of milk a day. The milk
contains 35-50% milk fat and enables the calf to gain weight at a rate of up to nine pounds an hour or
over 200 pounds a day! At eight months of age and an average length of over 45 feet, the calf is weaned.
The blue whale reaches sexual maturity around 10 years of age.
The blue whale was too swift and powerful for the 19th century whalers to hunt, but with the arrival of
harpoon cannons, they became a much sought after species for their large amounts of blubber. The
killing reached a peak in 1931 when 29,649 blue whales were taken. By 1966, blues were so scarce
that the International Whaling Commission declared them protected throughout the world. Today, there
are fewer than 10,000 blue whales in the oceans, and they are considered an endangered species. We
can however, see them in the summer and fall off the central California coast.
scarcely possible to imagine the size of the blue whale, the largest animal inhabiting the earth. There
are records of individuals over 100 feet, but 70-90 feet is probably average. An average weight for an
adult is 200,000-300,000 pounds (100-150 tons). Its heart alone is as large as a small car.
Blue whales are an overall blue-gray color, mottled with light gray. Cold water diatoms sometimes give
their bellies a yellowish tinge, giving the blue whale its nick-name of "Sulfur bottom." Blue whales are
long and streamlined. The dorsal fin is extremely small, and the pectoral flippers are long and thin.Blue
whales swim individually or in small groups. Pairs are very commonly seen.
Blue whales are rorqual whales, a family of baleen whales with pleated throat grooves that expand
when the animal takes in water while feeding. More than 55-68 throat grooves extend from the throat to
the navel. The favorite food of these giants is krill, or shrimp-like euphasiids, that are up to three inches
long. Blues must eat one to two tons of krill a day during the feeding season. They concentrate on
feeding during the polar summers, and migrate to warmer waters in the winter. Blue whale baleen is
black.
Gestation lasts about one year, and at birth, the blue whale calf is about 23 feet long and weighs
5,000-6,000 pounds. A nursing blue whale mother produces over 50 gallons of milk a day. The milk
contains 35-50% milk fat and enables the calf to gain weight at a rate of up to nine pounds an hour or
over 200 pounds a day! At eight months of age and an average length of over 45 feet, the calf is weaned.
The blue whale reaches sexual maturity around 10 years of age.
The blue whale was too swift and powerful for the 19th century whalers to hunt, but with the arrival of
harpoon cannons, they became a much sought after species for their large amounts of blubber. The
killing reached a peak in 1931 when 29,649 blue whales were taken. By 1966, blues were so scarce
that the International Whaling Commission declared them protected throughout the world. Today, there
are fewer than 10,000 blue whales in the oceans, and they are considered an endangered species. We
can however, see them in the summer and fall off the central California coast.
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