Gray Whale
Fast Facts
Where We Live
Based on our residence, we are segregated into two primary populations:
- Eastern North Pacific whales who migrate between the Canadian Arctic and Mexico’s Baja California
- Western North Pacific whales that live off the Russian coast and winter in either the South China Sea or the Bering Sea.
IUCN Status
While we are listed as a species of least concern, that may change. The Western North Pacific whales are classified as critically endangered while the Eastern North Pacific whales have been flagged for reconsideration because our population has dropped by more than half in a ten-year period. (In 2016, there were an estimated 27,000 of us while the 2025 estimate has dwindled to 12,950.)
The primary reason for our rapid decline is a climate change-driven lack of food in the Arctic. Other threats include:
- Vessel strikes;
- Entanglement in fishing gear;
- Disturbance from whale watching activities;
- Killer whales,
- Ocean noise; and
- Habitat degradation.
World Whale Day
is celebrated the third Sunday in February!
fun fact
We have an unusual feeding style: we dive to the bottom of the ocean, turn on our dominant side and scoop sediment into our mouths. Just like you, most gray whales are right-flippered; only a small percent of us are lefties!
On Being A Gray Whale
Hi! I’m Gracie, an Eastern North Pacific gray whale (she / her). As you might guess from our name, we are lean, mean, slate gray swimming machines. Haha. I kid, of course. We’re actually very curious and playful with nary a territorial bone in our bodies. As adults, we reach up to 50 feet (15.3 meters) in length and may weigh between 80,000 – 90,000 pounds (36,000 – 41,000 kilograms). Along for the ride on each adult are over 400 pounds of barnacles and whale lice. We carry more of these hitchhikers than any other whale species, but it’s a small burden for us to bear.
Like all whales, the ocean is our home. We are generally considered a coastal species because we tend to hug the continental shelf as we move between our Arctic feeding grounds and breeding and calving grounds in Baja California. Our claim to fame is that our annual migration is the longest of any mammal on the planet at 10,000 – 14,000 miles (16,000 – 22,500 kilometers).
Our travel schedules are somewhat dictated by our gender, age, and whether we have a calf in tow. But if you’d like to come along for a swim, I’d be happy to share our whale of a tale!
Baja California (December to February)
Most of Us
We all start our year in the balmy, shallow lagoons of Baja California, arriving there in late December. In the years when I do not have a calf, I congregate near the lagoon entrances with the other unencumbered adults to breed and socialize. The juvenile whales hang out there too, traveling in loose, multi-gendered clusters.
For most of us, our stay in Baja is limited to several weeks. But while we’re here, we take advantage of the time to indulge in some rest and relaxation. Our version looks a bit different than yours, though. Because we are “conscious breathers,” we never fall into a deep sleep like you do. Instead, we float motionless at the surface with our blowhole exposed for 10–20-minute naps.
Mamas and Calves
Resting is even more important for me after I give birth to a single calf every couple of years — if I can stay healthy. In late January, my calf, Grady, was born weighing 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) and measuring 15 feet (4.5 meters) long.
When Grady was first born, as is to be expected, he sank like a rock. I immediately scooped him up and carried him to the surface for his first breath. Then I taught him how to move through the water by allowing him to rest on my pectoral fin and slowly swimming. His reflexes quickly took over, and he began swimming atop my fin. Within 30 minutes, he got the hang of swimming steadily and within the hour, he was diving like a pro.
The shallow lagoons in Baja provide the perfect nursery zone for Grady and me. There are no orcas or other predators here, so we are safe. Also, as a new mother, it allows me to isolate myself from other adults so I can focus on my calf. And, the warm water is critical for Grady because, like all calves, he was born with very little blubber. But he drinks 50 gallons (190 liters) of milk to bulk up by 60 – 70 pounds (27 – 32 kilograms) each day.
During our time in Baja, our babies are notoriously playful. Grady stays close to my side, often flipping onto my back or balancing on my tail flukes. Curious by nature, he has even approached your tour boats and allowed humans to gently touch him. Of course, I’m always close by to make sure my calf stays safe. I am fiercely protective of Grady, but in this peaceful setting, I never needed to defend him.
Grady and I must remain in the shallow calving lagoons for several months to allow him to build up a thick blubber layer before we begin our northern migration into colder waters. However, as an adult, I primarily eat while I’m in the Arctic feeding grounds, relying on stored fat for energy. By the end of my time in Baja, I have lost close to one-third of my body weight so it’s time to head north to strap on the feedbag!
Northern Migration (Mid-February to May)
Most of Us
We whales make our sojourn north either solo or in small, temporary groups. In years when I am newly pregnant, I am among the first to depart, heading north in February. The next group to leave Baja includes adult males, juveniles, and the remaining single ladies.
We swim 60 – 100 miles (100 – 160 kilometers) each day. Traveling is our focus so we don’t spend much time resting, although I may grab an occasional 10- to15-minute nap in shallow, sheltered waters.
A small subset of about 250 gray whales breaks off from the rest of the population and aborts their northern migration between Northern California and Southeast Alaska rather than heading to the Bering Sea. They feed in the Pacific Northwest from spring to fall and then meet the rest of us on the way back to Baja. This group is not suffering from the malnutrition that the is plaguing the rest of us.
Mamas and Calves
When I have a calf with me, we don’t leave Baja until March or April. Mothers and calves are always the last to depart and travel more slowly than the other whales. To make the journey easier for Grady, I encourage him to swim in my wake where he can conserve energy by letting me break the water for him.
During our trip north, I remain on constant alert for predators, primarily killer whales. I hug the shallows to stay off their radar, but things tend to get especially dicey around the California coast’s Monterey Bay. The orcas there are notorious for trying to separate calves from their mothers. It happens nearly every time and they succeed in their morbid mission about one-third of the time. As they approached us this year, I fought fiercely to protect my child. I slapped my massive flukes at them, used my body as a shield, pushed Grady onto my back, and even sent him into the safety of the shallow shoreline while I fended off the would-be killers. Thank goodness, I was able to save Grady from this fate.
Luckily, our journey is not always so perilous. Grady continues his playful ways during our migration, only now he’s learning to breach, slapping his tail on the water, and poking his head straight out of the water to admire the view. I never say no to a good play session either, especially when we encounter dolphins along our route. I’ve even been known to swim upside-down a time or two while frolicking with them.
The Devil Fish Era
My! How times have changed over the last century. During the whaling era in the 19th and early 20th centuries, commercial whalers nicknamed us “devil fish” because of our aggressive reaction to being harpooned. (Can you imagine, actually reacting to having a harpoon stuck in your back? The mind boggles!) Mothers like me fought fiercely to protect our calves and we would actively attack whalers, including by flipping their rowboats in self-defense. But our temperament has changed considerably due to the protections now in place and we’re known for our friendly demeanor.
Feeding Grounds (May through October)
We arrive in the Arctic by May or June, as the sea ice begins to retreat. Hundreds of us converge in the food-rich waters but are foraging independently rather than working as a unified pod. While we are there, we spend 50 – 70% of our time noshing on the bottom-dwelling amphipods. Overall, we must consume 1.3 tons (1,200 kilograms) of food each day to build up the blubber reserves that we can tap during the remainder of the year.
As I mentioned earlier, the way we obtain food is quite unique. Sticking to the shallow waters that are less than 200 feet (60 meters) deep, we dive down to the bottom, turn on our dominant side and scoop sediment into our mouths. Then we use our baleen plates to strain out amphipods – they look like tiny shrimp – and expel everything else, sending up a plume of mud in the process. We may also snack on zooplankton, mysid shrimp, and crab larvae that dwell in the water column.
Southern Migration (November through January)
As the days grow shorter and the water temperature begins to drop, it’s time to head south again. The route to Baja takes a solid two months and this time our migration takes on a new pattern.
Pregnant Females
In the years that I am with calf, I am among the first to depart for Baja. My baby will be born soon, which needs to occur in the warm, shallow lagoons.
Juveniles
Grady and I have parted company by the time we migrate south. He began eating solid foods when we reached the feeding grounds and I weaned him back in September, so he is now fully independent of me. He joins the other young whales his age for the journey. His group engages in tactile play and mock courtship behavior along the way.
The Climate Change Impact
Climate change is hitting the Arctic two to three times harder than anywhere else in the world. The warmer temperatures melt the sea ice much sooner than it once did. Because this now occurs before the sun returns to shine around the clock in the Arctic, we lose the conditions that used to fuel the massive algae bloom. That means less algae and what does grow gets stirred up by the wind instead of sinking to the seafloor. As a result, very little reaches the amphipods that depend on it, and their numbers have declined dramatically.
This ongoing food shortage leaves us without the energy reserves we need to complete our migration back to the Arctic, and we are dying in alarming numbers. It also means that many mothers are no longer healthy enough to carry a calf, causing our birth rate to fall well below normal. But every small action you take towards reducing your carbon footprint helps us!
The Remaining Adults
Once we reach the magical length of 36 feet (11 meters), we are considered adults. This can occur anywhere from ages five to eleven years. And let’s just say we enjoy what you might consider a free love society, meaning we may engage with several partners while we travel south.
Often, we segment into groups of three with one receptive female (i.e., she is in heat) and two males. We begin our courtship by swimming as fast as we can with each other. Then, as the race slows, we gently circle each other. Nature then takes its course and eventually the two males swap places. And thirteen months later, fins crossed, I give birth to a new calf.
During this half of the migration, we are far more active in other ways too. We can often be seen breaching, with the resulting splashdown being visible for several miles. Wheeee! We also spy hop, which is where we raise only our heads out of the water to gaze around then slip back below the surface.
As our journey south concludes in December or January, we’ve arrived back in Baja. Which brings this whale tale to an end, as we prepare to start the cycle anew.
How To Help Us.
If you’re interested in helping us gray whales, there are several meaningful ways you can make a difference:
- First and foremost, you can take steps to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also buy locally sourced products to help with climate change and reduce shipping traffic that can be problematic for us. Remember, individually we can Take Action. Together we can make a Difference!
- If you see one of us in the wild, you can report your sighting on apps like the Whale Alert or on HappyWhale.com. These observations help scientists track our movements, monitor our health, and better understand the challenges we face. It also helps if you can report dead or stranded whales to your local marine mammal stranding network.
- If you are on the water in private vessels, even small ones like jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards, be sure to maintain at least a 100 yard (91 meter) distance from us.
- If you want to go whale watching, be sure you chose a tour operator that follows strict viewing guidelines like maintaining safe distances and partners with research institutions. Respectful encounters ensure that we remain undisturbed in our natural behaviors.
Returning the Favor.
Since you’re considering helping us, I’d like to return the favor. Despite our massive size, we are gentle beings, moving through the ocean with a quiet steadiness. When you encounter us, whether in person or through stories like this one, I hope our calm presence reminds you of the power of patience and grace. We do not rush. We do not hold onto what has passed. We simply continue forward—breath by breath, mile by mile.
There is something to be learned from that. You, too, can let go of what no longer serves you. You can choose forgiveness over resentment, curiosity over fear, and connection over distance. Like us, you are allowed to take up space in the world—fully and without apology—but how you move through that space matters. Move with intention. Move with kindness.
Our journey is long, and at times, uncertain. Yours may be as well. But if we can cross entire oceans guided by instinct and resilience, perhaps you can trust your own path forward, even when it isn’t perfectly clear.
If you’d like to learn more about gray whales, read Gray Whales: My Twenty Years of Discovery by Keith Jones or explore the wealth of information available on the NOAA website.
Special thanks to Jessie Huggins of Cascadia Research Collective for serving as our expert advisor on gray whales.
References
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