The gray whale received its name from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. The skin has many scratches, scattered patches of white barnacles, and orange whale lice. A whale's skin feels like a peeled, hard-boiled egg. All the Adult grays may have scars and tooth-rake marks from encounters with Orcas. Light gray or white scars show where the whale barnacles have fallen off.
Young whales develop barnacle patches soon after birth.
The largest gray whales have flukes, or tails, that may span 10 feet. These whales do produce gurgles and warbling moans, but no one fully understands their purpose. A. Gray whales have streamlined bodies with narrow, tapered heads. The upper jaw slightly overlaps the lower jaw. Its flippers are paddle shaped and pointed at the tips.