Gray whale is a species of Pacific whales that gets its name from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin.

Scientific Name – Eschrichtius robustus

Classification – Eschrichtius

Gender Names – Male – bull; Female – cow; Baby – calf

Collective Noun – Gam, grind, herd, pod, school

Length/Size – Up to 14.9 meters (49 ft)

Weight – 36 tonnes (40 short tons)

Top Speed – 8 km/h (5 mph)

Life Expectancy – 55 – 70 years

Mating Season – Mid-February to mid-March

Gestation Period – 13.5 months

Special Features – Varies between subspecies

Social Structure – Usually congregates in small pods of around 3 whales, but may have up to 16 members

Geographical Distribution – Pacific Ocean

Natural Habitat – Varies between subspecies

World Population – 26,000 approx.

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Diet – Amphipods, cumaceans, isopods, plankton, squid, krill, crab larvae, herring eggs, ghost shrimp, bait fish

Predators – Killer whales (orcas) , the large sharks , and humans are the gray whales’ only natural predators