KidZone Animals
Whales: Offspring

Sperm whale and calf

Photographer, Gabriel Barathieu; used with permission under CCBY 2.0

Whale offspring, like cow babies, are called calves. Surprisingly, scientists do not know many biological details about most whales and their babies.

Whales give birth to their babies instead of laying eggs. This is a characteristic of most mammals (though there are a few unique mammals in Australia, like the platypus and echidna, that do lay eggs).

But wait! I thought whales lived in the ocean all the time and had to breathe -- what happens to the babies?

The babies must learn to swim the minute they are born so they can get to the surface of the water and take their first big breath. Their mom helps nudge them up, but it’s important that the babies help too. Sadly, some calves don’t make it and drown when they are born. However, most make it.

Killer whales, which travel in groups called pods, actually help each other with the birthing process. An aunt or sister will help the new mom nudge her baby to the surface for its first breath.

Orca and calf

Photographer, Christopher Michel; used with permission
under CC BY 2.0

Where do whales go to have their calves? What migration routes do they take? While scientists know that migrations usually take place between the summer feeding months and the winter calving months, the exact routes are generally unknown. However, certain aspects of whale species' offspring are known.

For example, scientists speculate that orcas birth calves at around the age of 11.

Humpbacks and their calves return to the same summer feeding area every year.

Scientists believe that whales remember where and when they can find lots of food and that mother whales pass this information on to their calves.

Baby Humpback whale

"A baby humpback whale"; used with permission under CC BY 2.0

A right whale female will only give birth once every 3-5 years! By comparison, Gray whales give birth more frequently. For every 5 Right whale calves born, there are approximately 13 Gray whale calves. This discrepancy has caused serious population problems for Right whales, with only about 50% surviving to maturity.

Key Points:

  1. Calves: Whale babies are called calves.
  2. Birth: Whales give birth to live young, not eggs.
  3. Breathing: Calves must reach the surface to take their first breath.
  4. Migration: Scientists know whales migrate between feeding and calving areas but many routes are unknown.
  5. Reproduction Rates: Right whales have lower reproduction rates compared to Gray whales.