Did you know humpback whales have wings?
I’m Dennis Rogers for the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center.
Humpback whales are distinguished from other whales by their long pectoral fins, or flippers, that reach up to fifteen feet long. These are by far the longest fins of any whale species. In fact, the scientific name for the humpback whale Megaptera actually means “big wing.” So why these long fins? Scientists puzzled over this for years. It does not seem logical that having fins that large and clumsy-looking would be an advantage in the water. However, it is finally becoming clear that these monstrous appendages give the humpbacks many advantages.
Humpbacks are the only large whales that rely on making tight circles and quick turns to catch fast prey. The huge fins help a whale to make these fine maneuvers. Also unlike any other whale, the leading edge of the fins are covered with bumps. The number and position of these bumps function to improve lift and further enhance movement through the water. Engineers studying alternative designs for wings are looking closely at humpback flippers, so don’t be surprised one day of you see a submarine with wings like a humpback’s.
Recent studies show that the white undersides of the fins are used extensively for startling and herding prey. In test tanks at the University of British Columbia, herring were exposed to boards painted to resemble humpback flippers. When the white underside of the fin-like board was flashed, the fish school tightened up and quickly moved away perpendicular to the plane of the fin. What better way to get a group of fish into a smaller bite-sized school than to flash your fins out and at an angle ahead of your body? The fish school ends up right in front of a hungry mouth.
So, when you see a breaching humpback whale with its “wings” outstretched, you will now know that these huge ungainly-looking appendages are not just for show.
