Gray whale

Gray Whale

Gray whales are big, friendly sea animals that travel very long distances every year. They can grow as long as a school bus and weigh as much as many cars put together! These whales live in the Pacific Ocean, mostly near North America and Asia.

Gray whales get their name from the gray patches on their dark skin. They are special because they have bumps on their backs instead of a smooth fin like other whales. These whales eat tiny sea creatures by using special filters in their mouths called baleen.

There are two groups of gray whales. One group travels between Alaska and Baja California Sur. The other, smaller group lives near Korea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Both groups are careful and smart, staying close to shore when they have their babies.

People love to watch gray whales because they are gentle giants of the sea. Scientists study them to learn how to protect these wonderful animals and their homes. Gray whales remind us how amazing and big our oceans can be!