The gestation period is approximately 11 months. Newborn humpbacks are 4.6 m in length and weigh about 1.3 metric tons. The period of lactation lasts approximately 5 months. Sexual maturity is reached at 2-5 years, at which time the young whales measure about 12 m in length. Physical maturity occurs at 12-15 years of age.
Females breed every other year.
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