Eschrichtius robustus

Gray whale [Eastern North Pacific DPS]

Family: Eschrichtiidae · Class: Mammalia · Order: Artiodactyla

Conservation status: Endangered

The gray whale is a large baleen whale that reaches 12 to 15 meters (39 to 49 feet) in length, with females typically larger than males. Adults weigh 15 to 35 metric tons. The species lacks a dorsal fin, instead having a low dorsal ridge followed by 6 to 12 knuckle-like bumps along the posterior third of the back. Gray whales are mottled gray in coloration with extensive scarring from barnacles and whale lice, giving them a distinctively patchy appearance. The head is narrow and triangular when viewed from above, with baleen plates that are cream to yellow in color. Gray whales occur in the North Pacific Ocean, with two distinct population segments. The Eastern North Pacific population ranges from Baja California, Mexico, through California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. This population migrates between Arctic feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi seas and breeding lagoons in Baja California. The Western North Pacific population, which remains endangered, occurs in waters off Russia, Japan, and the western North Pacific. The species inhabits coastal and nearshore waters, typically remaining within 200 kilometers of shore during migration. Gray whales prefer shallow waters less than 60 meters deep for feeding, particularly areas with soft sediments. During summer months, they concentrate in Arctic waters where they feed primarily in depths of 5 to 50 meters. Breeding occurs in warm, shallow lagoons and bays along the Mexican coast. Gray whales are bottom feeders that employ a unique feeding strategy called benthic suction feeding. They dive to the seafloor and use suction to extract amphipods, mysids, and other invertebrates from sediments, creating distinctive mud plumes when surfacing. According to SeaLifeBase, their diet consists primarily of swarming mysids and tube-dwelling amphipods in northern feeding areas, though they also consume red crabs and other benthic organisms. Gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 20,000 kilometers annually between feeding and breeding areas. Calving occurs after a 13-month gestation period, typically in shallow lagoons. The conservation status of gray whales varies significantly between populations. According to NOAA Fisheries, the Eastern North Pacific population was removed from the Endangered Species List in 1994 due to recovery, with current population estimates exceeding 20,000 individuals (NatureServe). However, the Western North Pacific population remains endangered under the Endangered Species Act, with fewer than 200 individuals remaining. As noted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the recovered Eastern North Pacific population is not currently tracked by the California Natural Diversity Database. The species received International Whaling Commission protection in 1946, which was crucial to the Eastern North Pacific population's recovery from near extinction.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.