OREGON, USA — Gray whales were spotted at Seaside Cove beginning their fall migration in Oregon's coastal waters. Seaside Aquarium shared photos and videos of their trek Tuesday.
About 18,000 migrating whales will swim past Oregon's coastline as they head south to their calving spots in the warm waters of Baja California, Mexico. Gray whales typically migrate 10,000 miles a year, and are one of the longest migrating mammals on the planet.
Calves are born after 12 months of gestation, and can grow to be 49 feet long and tip the scales at over 80,000 pounds. They can also live over 70 years.
Around 200 gray whales live nearly year-round in Oregon's coastal waters. Preferring shallow waters, they are the only species that filters mud by sucking sediment off the seafloor and consuming small invertebrates, such as amphipods and zooplankton. They also eat small shrimp from the water column.
How to spot the whales
The whales will surface every 20 seconds and blow a spout of water — nearly 12 feet high — for about five seconds before they take another breath to submerge again.
If you don't see them resurface, don't worry: they'll stay underwater for three to five minutes while they eat. If they're frightened, the whales can lay low for 30 minutes.
Oregon State Parks celebrates the migrations twice per year with Whale Watch Week during late December and late March; this year, it'll be from Dec. 27 through 31. Volunteers will be stationed at more than 20 of the best whale-watching sites along the coast, ready to help visitors not only catch a glimpse of the whales but offer fun facts. You can see a map of where to whale watch here.
A few key spots to take in both the whales and seaside scenery on Oregon's north coast include Cape Lookout State Park, Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach and Neahkahnie Mountain. Be sure to bundle up, bring binoculars, and if you miss them this winter, you can see them return late March through June next year.
