The Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae , is one of the whale species that has been sighted in the Gulf of Mexico. Like all baleen whales, the humpback has baleen plates hanging from its upper jaw instead of teeth. There are between 270-400 baleen plates on each side which are used to strain out the whales food, krill and schooling fish. Female humpbacks can grow to 16 meters in length, while males can reach up to 15 meters. Newborn calves are between 4.5 and 5 meters long.
Humpbacks are basically black or gray, with a white region on the throat and belly.
The flukes are broad and shaped like a butterfly. They frequently have serrations and other irregularities on the rear margin and can be partially or completely white. The dorsal fin can vary in size and shape, and frequently includes a step or hump. Humpbacks are often found alone or in small groups, but will form bigger groups to breed and feed. Humpbacks migrate seasonally, spending the summer in high latitudes and the winter in low latitudes.