Reef Report for July 2007
It is one of the most exciting times of the year on The Great Barrier Reef offshore of Port Douglas. From late July until September the whales are on their annual migration and on HABA we have had almost daily encounters causing us to stop and allow the passengers to be amazed and entertained by their spectacular and playful antics. We are currently seeing Humpbacks and Minke whales. The photos on this page were all taken late July, early August from the HABA vessel. Some of the interesting facts are:
- All whales are mammals, they are warm-blooded, breathe air with lungs, suckle their young and have elaborate brains.
- The whales come north to the warmer waters not only to calve but also because the annoying barnacles found on their skin cannot tolerate the higher temperature and the whales get an exfoliation of sorts.
- Female humpbacks are pregnant 11-12 months and the calves average 2 tonnes in weight and suckle for a year.
- The humpback tails have black & white patterns which are unique to the individual so biologists can identify them.
- Humpbacks may stay submerged for 30 minutes but on average a dive lasts no longer than 15 minutes.
