Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales were among the first species to discover the
joy of wintering in Hawaii. Each autumn they travel 3,000
mi. (5,000m) from their arctic feeding grounds to the warm,
tropical waters of Hawaii to mate and give birth. These
baleen whales grow to over 50 ft. in length and weigh 30-50
tons. They are known for their spectacular acrobatics, as
well as their complex underwater mating songs. There are now
about 20,000 humpbacks world-wide and are an endangered
species. Maui is the best island from which to see humpback
whales, particularly in the winter, from November to
February. |
Dolphin
Dolphins are part of the same family as whales and porpoises
(called cetaceans) which include the world's largest and
most diverse group of living animals. They are not fish but
air-breathing, warm-blooded mammals that nurse their young.
Over fifteen species of wild dolphins live in or migrate to
waters surrounding Hawaii. The Hawaiian spinner dolphin,
Pantropical spotted dolphin and bottlenose dolphin are the
species most frequently seen. |
Monk Seal
Unlike most seals, Hawaiian Monk Seals are solitary animals
that are rarely found in groups. They are a very old
species; scientists believe that they have remained
unchanged by evolution for the past 15 million years. They
are primarily found in the remote regions of the
Northwestern Hawaiian islands. Like many species native to
Hawaii, they evolved in the absence of predators. As such,
they did not develop a "fight-or-flight" instinct, and are
therefore naturally tame. This spelled disaster for the Monk
Seal during the 19th century, as they were killed in large
numbers for their oil and pelts. Today they are considered
an endangered species, with a population of around 1,500.
Because the survival of these gentle creatures remains
precarious, it is important that visitors not disturb
them---please stay a safe distance away. |
Turtle
Of the three native Hawaiian species, the most common is the
green sea turtle. This is the largest of the hard-shelled
turtles weighing up to 440 pounds and measuring up to 4
feet. Hawaii's green sea turtles reach sexual maturity at
around 25 years. They can migrate up to 800 miles away from
their feeding areas near the coasts of main islands, to
nesting beaches in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. From
one to 350 females nest each year, coming to shore several
times in one season. It will be two to three years before
the same female will nest again. While each nest averages
100 eggs, only a few of the hatchlings will survive to
adulthood. Sea turtles have been known to move through the
water as fast as 35 mph. When active, sea turtles swim to
the surface every few minutes in order to breathe. When
sleeping or resting, which usually occurs at night, adult
sea turtles can remain underwater for more than 2 hours
without breathing. Juvenile sea turtles have not developed
this ability as well as adults and must sleep afloat at the
water's surface. It takes this turtle almost two decades to
reach an adult breeding size of 200 pounds or more. Living
up to eighty years they can reach up to 350 pounds. |
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Fish
There are an estimated 700 different
species of fish in Hawaiian waters, many of which exist
nowhere else in the world. Impress your friends by telling
them about Hawaii's state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
(pronounced HOO-moo-HOO-moo-NEW-coo-NEW-coo-AH-poo-AH-ah),
or the reef triggerfish. This tiny tropical fish is 8-9 in.
long and has a trigger-shaped, blue-and-yellow dorsal fin. |
 
Click Here For A Reef Fish Chart
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Click Here For A Reef Life Chart
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Click Here For A Seashell Chart
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