Also the gray whale's predator, the orcas, do not care for the shallow water and narrow entrance of the lagoons. As a result the gray whales have an advantage over them. Since the lagoon's entrances are narrow and there are many sandbars, only very experienced boaters can drive through the area. Without many boaters the whales benefit because they have more space and don't have to worry about watching out for anything that can harm them or their young. Besides being warm, shallow, and free from many boaters and killer whales, the Baja lagoons are very salty.
Salty water means buoyancy, and buoyancy makes it easier for the calves to float and nurse.
A newborn calf weighs about 2000 pounds at birth. Much of that weight gain is a thick layer of blubber to supply warmth and energy for the baby whale on the trip north into colder waters. During the swim north, the calf will continue to nurse and grow. Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message. In the body of the message, answer ONE of the questions above.