South Africa and its Whales

37 whales are found in South Africa 's waters. And there are only 78 species of whales and dolphins world wide. In South Africa whales and dolphins can be divided into two main types, baleen whales (including the Southern Right Whale, Humpback and Bryde's Whale) and toothed whales (including the Sperm Whale, Killer Whale, Beaked Whales, dolphins and porpoises). Baleen whales use horny plates in the mouths (baleen or whalebone) to strain food (minute plankton or krill) from the water, while the toothed whales generally feed on fish or squid.

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Whale watching accommodation along the Garden Route in South Africa

The Whale coast of South Africa - Drakensberg Tourism

Whale watching in South Africa - South Africa Tours

South Africa whales

BRYDE'S WHALE

(Balaenoptera edini).
The Brydes whale is named after the Norwegian Johan Bryde, who in 1912 financed the first scientific investigation of whales in South African waters.
Whale features: Bluish-grey Slender body, top of head are broad and flat. 3 Ridges on head from blowhole to snout tip. Dorsal fin is about 45 cm long, sickle shaped with pointed tip.

Length: 12 - 14,6 m
Weight: 12 000 - 20 000 kg
Cruising Speed: 4 - 16 knob
Blow: Tall and thin about 4 metres high
Status: insufficiently known

HUMPBACK WHALE

(Megaptera novaengliae)
It is thought that the humpback whale is so named because of its pronounced arching of the back when surfacing. Latin name for the humpback whale arises from Megaptera -large winged (reference to the flippers) and navaeangliae - from the New England region. Also called "songsters of the sea" because of their complex musical talent. Only the males are thought to sing when they are on breading ground. The patterns of the songs change gradually over the years, so that completely new song patterns evolve all the time. Features: Black or gray with light underside. Distinctive rows of fleshy tubercles or knobs can be found along jaws and around head. Grooves or pleats on underside of throat and chest. Dorsal fin has a small triangular shape. White patterns are found under under their scalloped edge flukes. Flippers of the humpback whale are long, tapering and wing-like, usually white below.

Length: 14.6 - 15.2m
Weight: 30 000 - 40 000 kg
Cruising Speed: 4 knots
Blow: Pear-shaped and upright, about 3m high
Status: Endangered
Breeding biology: Both mating and birthing takes place to the north of South Africa in warm tropical coastal waters. Gestation is approximately 11,5 months and peak birthing occurs in August. Lactation (suckling) takes place approximately 11 months.

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE

(Eubalaena australis)
The Southern Right Whale is so called because they were thought to be the "right" whale to catch. The members of this species are very rich oil and whalebone, and when killed floats in water. Whale features: Black with occasional white markings along back and underside of body. Callosities (outgrowths of tough skin) around head.

Length: 14 - 18 m
Weight: average 41 000 kg
Cruising speed: 2-3 knots
Blow: V-shaped and between 4 - 5 metres high
Status: Vulnerable
Breeding biology: This involves several males trying to mate with a single female. The males have the largest testes of any mammal and fight their reproductive battles with shear quantities of sperm. The female prevents mating by lying on her back, but when she turns over to breathe, a male will take the opportunity to cover her. Gestation is approximately 12 months and lactation probably occurs from between 6 to 12 months.

Behaviours of South Africa Whales

Whales tend to show off in the following manner: Blowing: A sound is made when expelling air through the blowhole. This is accompanied by a spout of condensed water vapour. This however is the normal breathing pattern of the animal. Breaching: Leaping out of water in an arching back flip and falling back on side or back with a resounding slap. This is believed to be a way of communications, exercise or possibly to scratch the parasites off that live on whales. They can breach from 3 to 8 times in succession. Lobtailing: The slapping of flukes and tail on the water, causing a loud sound, appears to be a means of communication. Spyhopping: Head and body are lifted vertically, as far as the flippers, about the surface. This enables them to see what is happening around them above the water.

Rules for whale watching in South Africa

Pollution is one of the greatest threats to whales and other forms of sea life. Furthermore it is illegal to approach whales by air or boat without a permit. The SEA FISHERIES Act of 1988 states:

"No persons shall catch, kill, disturb or harass any whale at any time. -"Disturb or Harass" shall include shooting any whale, approaching any whale, whether in a boat or any other floating craft, aircraft or helicopter to within a distance of less than 300 meters; the stopping or lingering in a boat or any other floating craft, aircraft or helicopter to within the distance of less than 300 metres; that in the event of a whale surfacing within a distance of less than 300 metres from a boat or other craft fails to proceed immediately to a distance of at least 300 metres from the whale. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with he provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding R50 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 years or both. Stranded dolphins or whales should be kept wet at all times without obstructing the blowhole or letting water enter it. Their skin dries easily and should be protected from wind and sun by wet light-coloured towels. Keep people away and reduce noise. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST SEA FISHERIES INSTITUTE OR South African POLICE OFFICE.

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