Q 01/05

What is the humpback whale's scientific name?

A) Megaptera novaeangliae

B) Balaenoptera musculus

C) Eubalaena glacialis

D) Physeter macrocephalus

Answer · why

A) Megaptera novaeangliae

Megaptera novaeangliae is the only species in the genus Megaptera, a rorqual related to the blue, fin, sei, Bryde's and minke whales.

Q 02/05

How many blowholes does a humpback whale have?

A) One

B) Two

C) Three

D) Four

Answer · why

B) Two

Two. Like all baleen whales, the humpback has a pair of blowholes on top of its head; toothed whales such as dolphins have a single one.

Q 03/05

In 1985 the wayward humpback nicknamed Humphrey swam far up which river?

A) Sacramento River

B) Columbia River

C) Hudson River

D) Mississippi River

Answer · why

A) Sacramento River

The Sacramento River: Humphrey passed through the Golden Gate in October 1985 and spent nearly a month inland before being coaxed back to sea with rec...

Q 04/05

Where does the common name 'humpback' come from?

A) A hump of blubber on its head

B) A hunched swimming posture

C) The curve of its back as it dives

D) A dorsal-fin deformity

Answer · why

C) The curve of its back as it dives

The name comes from the curve of its back as it dives: the whale arches steeply before sounding, while its dorsal fin is just a small hook.

Q 05/05

How long is a typical adult humpback whale?

A) 8 to 9 metres

B) 14 to 15 metres

C) 11 to 12 metres

D) 20 to 22 metres

Answer · why

B) 14 to 15 metres

Females run 1-1.5 m longer than males; the species can weigh up to 40 tonnes.