Baleen plates are made up of a protein substance called keratin, which also makes up our hair and fingernails. These baleen plates hang vertically from the whales upper jaw. The whales filter their food, straining water out through their baleen using their tongues. Although the humpback whale is only capable of swallowing something slightly smaller than a grapefruit, it can still consume approximately one ton of food per day. Hawaiian waters are so clear and blue because they lack phytoplankton .
Phytoplankton are tiny, microscopic plants that bait fish feed upon.
Because of this, there are very few bait fish in Hawaii. Essentially, the whales are fasting in Hawaii for 4 to 6 months. The only whales getting a decent meal are the calves. Back to top of page A Humpback's Social Life Social Structure Humpback whales are solitary animals. Contrary to popular belief, humpback whales are not monogamous, they do not mate for life.