THE HUMPBACK WHALE 



4S 



are fatter. The differences here shown are probably due to lack of sufficient data, and if 

 the figures for males and females are combined, the curve shows very little difference 

 between South Georgian and South African whales and probably more nearly repre- 

 sents the truth. These curves for the Humpback differ considerably from those for Sei 



South Georgia 

 5outh Africa 



"T" 



10 



12 



Total Length in metres 



Fig. 44. Humpback whale. Males. Thickness of blubber. 



E ■ 



u 



C 12- 



QJ 



_a 



Z5 



ca 



(4- 

 o 



1/1 

 in 



(D 



C 

 u 



JZ 



10- 



South Georgia 

 ■South Africa 



14 



1 9 10 M IZ 13 



Total Length in metres 



Fig. 45. Humpback whale. Females. Thickness of blubber. 



Fin and Blue whales, of which the animals on the South African coast are much thinner 

 than those from South Georgia, and the reason probably lies in the readiness with which 

 the Humpback feeds on fish and other food when krill is not to be found 



A very striking point shown by these figures is the great thickness of blubber in 

 immature whales, especially males under 10 m. in length, from both South Georgia and 

 South Africa. A young male Humpback between 9 and 10 m. in total length has blubber 



y . 



