The two most incredible species of Whales to ever exist on Earth – the Blue Whale and the Humpback whale. Both species are Baleen whales which means they do not have teeth. In this article, we are going to compare the two species of whales to let you know what distinct features they have which will help you to distinguish between the two.
Blue Whale Vs. Humpback Whale Comparison
The two giant species differs from each other in many factors, some of which are listed below:
| Parameters | Blue Whales | Humpback Whales |
| Habitat | North Atlantic Ocean to the Greenland Sea | North Pacific Ocean to Gulf of Mexico |
| Body Shape | Long tapering body with U-shaped flat head | Slender and narrow body with a broad rounded head. |
| Coloration | light gray to bluish shade | Greyish from the top and white underside. |
| Fin (Dorsal Fins) | Small triangular-shaped dorsal fin | Small, knobby-shaped dorsal fins |
| Length | 72 to 100 feet | 39 to 52 feet |
| Weight | 130 to 150 tonnes | 25 to 30 tonnes |
| Bite Force | 19,000 psi | They do not bite |
| Vocalization | up to 188 decibels or 15 to 40 Hz range | 2.5 seconds long at 500 Hz |
| Diet | Krill and shrimps as primary food source | Plankton and fishes as primary food |
| Travelling | 4,000 miles per year | 16,000 miles per year |
| Speed | Normally swims with 20 kph speed with a burst 50 kph | 4.8 to 14 kph with a burst of 26.5 kph |
| Predators | Only Killer whales | Orcas, giant sharks, and false killer whales |
| Reproductive Mode | Become sexually mature after 5 to 15 years and give birth after 2 to 3 years. | Polygynous species give birth to only one calf in one year. |
| Life Span | 80 to 90 years | 45 to 50 years |
| Conservational Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
Conclusion
Although the two well-known species of whales, the Blue Whale and the Humpback whale belong to the Baleen group which do not have teeth instead they have baleen plates to chew the prey. They have many similarities but there are factors such as color, length, weight, and habitat which distinguish the two from each other. We hope that by reading the article you will spot the two in one sight that either it is a Blue Whale or a Humpback Whale.
