The Science Behind Humpback Whales’ Giant Pectoral Fins and Their Communication
The scientific name of humpback whales is Megaptera novaeangliae. “Megaptera ” stands for “big wings ” in Latin! That name suits them perfectly since they have the largest pectoral fins of all baleen whales, being up to one-third of their full body size, and when they jump, it almost looks like they do have wings. Sometimes, whales will swim sideways or backwards and put their pectoral fins out of the water. They are so big and impressive that people even mistake them for sails sometimes! Humpbacks can strike the surface of the water using one or both of their pectoral fins at the same time. This action might function as a form of communication with other whales as well. It is a form of inner pod communication, differently from breaching, it is used to communicate with the whales nearby. Some scientists believe it can be done when they are joining up or separating from a travel buddy.
