Gray whales have one of the longest migrations of any mammal. During summer, they live in the Arctic in areas rich in their food, bottom-dwelling organisms. As fall approaches, there is less sunlight, less food, and the water turns cold. This is when the whales travel to Baja California, where they enter lagoons to give birth and mate. Gray whales can be seen passing by California in December and January during their southern migration, and again in March and April on their northern journey.
Gray whales feed differently from other whales.
Muddy plumes of water are often seen in places where gray whales are feeding. Female gray whales usually give birth every two to three years, and gestation lasts twelve to thirteen months. Calves are weaned at about eight months, after they have journeyed with their mothers back to the northern feeding grounds. Gray whales have returned from the brink of extinction. In the late 1800's, the gray whale breeding grounds were discovered, and whalers decimated the population.