Humpback whale fluke features - Oceanographic
  • Shop
  • News
  • Stories
  • Podcast
  • Spotlight
  • Storyteller in Residence
  • Ocean Photographer of the Year
  • LOG IN
  • Search
OG_newissueCOVER_master_DIGITAL_newsize_43
  • Sir David's 'OCEAN'
  • Dive in
Oceanographic Logo
  • Conservation
  • Adventure
  • Exploration
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • Read
    • Stories
    • News
    • Storyteller in residence
    • Spotlight
  • Listen
  • Shop
  • Ocean Photographer of the Year
Humpback whale fluke features
prev btn next btn
Documenting and collecting images of humpback whale flukes is extremely important in order to help identify individuals in a population. The fluke of an adult humpback whale consists of identifying features on two lobes that are separated by a notch. The unique features of each fluke are functionally analogous to the identifying characteristics of a human fingerprint, perfect for accurately recognising individuals. The fluke may contain scars from predators or collisions with vessels, birthmarks and barnacles; but each fluke has three common identifying characteristics - the trailing edge, the fluke shape and the notch shape. Of these characteristics, the most helpful to researchers is the trailing edge, as it tends to remain constant throughout a humpback’s life. The tracking and geotagging of flukes therefore offers significant insight into the movements of individual humpbacks. The more comprehensive the data, the more compelling the picture.
Share
See the source
Ocean Hub

More than a magazine subscription

Log in

Enter your password

Please enter your Oceanographic password for

Forgotten your password?

or use one of these options

[miniorange_social_login shape="square" theme="default" space="4" size="35"]

Not yet a subscriber?

Join today

By signing in or creating an account, you agree with out Terms & conditions and Privacy statement

Newsletter

Receive the latest from Oceanographic and get 10% off your first order.

footer Photographer logo
  • Home page
  • OPY
  • Stories
  • Magazine
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Shop
  • News
  • Faqs
  • Legal
  • Read for free
  • Stockists

Copyright © 2025 CXD MEDIA LTD.

All rights reserved

Enjoy 30% off your first year when joining as an annual digital subscriber!

Subscribe