Gray Whale

The gray whale is a baleen whale of the North Pacific, recognized by mottled gray skin and patches of barnacles. It often feeds near the seabed, taking in sediment and filtering out small animals. Many undertake long seasonal journeys between feeding and breeding waters. Instead of a prominent dorsal fin, it has a low hump followed by small bumps along the back. Shallow coastal areas and lagoons are important in parts of its life cycle. Feeding methods can vary with local prey and habitat.