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Female Humpback Whale with Calf in a Heat Run | Vava'u, Tonga

This female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and her calf were the center of attention in the middle of a heat run involving six male humpback whales. The primary escort is visible in the background. The whales were traveling at high speed, diving down from time to time. The calf's inability to hold its breath as long as the adults meant that the whales surfaced relatively frequently.

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Filename: female-humpback-whale-with-calf-heat-run-tonga-megaptera-novaeangliae-201208-4933.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 5760x3840 / 63.3MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Megaptera novaeangliae Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Endangered: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Mother and Calf Heat Run Escort South Pacific Tonga Vava'u
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whales Underwater, Marine Life Reproduction

This female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and her calf were the center of attention in the middle of a heat run involving six male humpback whales. The primary escort is visible in the background. The whales were traveling at high speed, diving down from time to time. The calf's inability to hold its breath as long as the adults meant that the whales surfaced relatively frequently.