Transcript Whale Mating and Reproduction

Sarah Langan
General
 Placental mammals
 Unborn calves are nourished via umbilical cord
 Seasonal breeders
 Testosterone increase in males
 Gestation period 10 – 17 months
 Cows birth 1 calf every 1 – 4 years
 Calf raised solely by mother cow
Breeding Season
 Migrate south during fall and winter
 Blue whales live on blubber during 4 month migration
 Humpback whales have one of the longest migrations of
any animal
 Stay within northern or southern hemisphere
 Courtship and mating occurs
 Males migrate north while the females stay to birth
their calves in the warmer water
 Other reasons for migration
 Male sperm whales constantly travel
 Orcas migrate for food
Mating Behaviors
 Males compete for females
 Increased aggression
 Breaching, staring, fin and tail slapping, songs
 Physical fighting is usually a last resort
 Competitive pods
 Courtship
 Biting
 Tapping noses
 More elaborate based on species
Reproductive Anatomy (External)
Reproductive Anatomy (Internal)
Genital slit of humpback whale
Collecting sperm from an
Orca at Sea World
Blue Whale Penis
 Largest on Earth
 Length: 8 – 16 ft
 Diameter: 12 in
 Testicles up to 25 lbs each
Penis emerging from Genital Slit
Humpback Whale Copulation
Birth
 Calves are born underwater tail first
 Surface for air immediately after birth
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyClkrV4dI4
 Calf remains with cow for 1 – 2 years
 7 – 10 years to reach sexual maturity
Suckling Milk
 35 – 50% fat
 Calves drink milk 6 months – 1 year
 Blue whale calves can consume up to 200 lbs per day
Questions?