Whales

Whale - Baby (calf)

The baby whale, or calf, is born after a gestation period of between 10 and 14 months (depending on the whale species). The mother returns to the breeding grounds in which she conceived the baby so that the calf can be born in the warmer waters during winter. Birth is carried out closer to the water’s surface. This is so that the water pressure is optimal, as it can become very intense and constrictive in the deeper areas, and because the water at the top is warmed by the sun. Most importantly, the calf is born closer to the surface to allow for it to have only a short way to travel to take its first breath of fresh air.

When the calf is born, it will weight anywhere between 2700kg and 1 ton (species dependent)! Its length can be approximated at being one quarter of the length of its mother. For a pygmy whale, this may mean that the calf is a mere 1.3m, while a Blue Whale calf can measure up to 7m at birth. At birth, the mother or the cows in the matriarchal pod will usher the baby to the surface of the water so that the calf is not compromised in terms of taking its first breath.

The calf will suckle from teats that are hidden in mammary slits on the abdomen of the mother. The milk is rich is nutrients and has an extremely high fat content. It has the same consistency as toothpaste, and this prevents the milk from leaking into the water around the calf. During the first few weeks and months, the calf will grow exponentially, doubling in size over just a few weeks. The fat in the milk will form a thick layer of blubber beneath the surface of the whale’s skin. This blubber will insulate the calf so that its warm-blooded body heat will remain inside, regardless of the chilly waters in which it lives and travels. The blubber is also a reserve for energy, which will sustain and strengthen the calf.

Baleen whales are weaned at about 8 months to 1 year of age. Toothed whale calves take longer as they need to be developed enough to catch and tear away at their prey with their strong teeth, while baleens simply need to allow their baleen plates to sift through the food that floats into their mouths. So, toothed whales are only weaned at about 2 to 3 years of age. Female calves are likely to stick close to their mother for longer, and will usually stay in the matriarchal pod for life. The bull calves in a matriarchal pod will gradually break away and eventually split completely to form a bachelor pod of peers.

Whilst with the mother in its early years, the baby will be trained and taught many important lessons. These will include vital survival skills, migration, feeding, mating and birthing.

Lifecycle

Whale - Baby (calf)