Creature the length of a basketball court enchants boaters off California, photos show
.jpg "Sightings of the ocean giant were scarce last year. Their increased presence this summer is exciting for whale watchers off California.")
Boaters with Monterey Bay Whale Watch spotted a blue whale, a thrilling addition to a series of sightings after the species was far more elusive last year.
“We are so happy to finally see blue whales popping up around the bay the last few weeks,” the organization said in a July 31 Facebook post.
On July 29, whale watchers out first thing in the morning saw the enormous animal swimming not far from the boat.
MBWW detailed the experience, saying watchers “got to spend quality time with a beautiful blue whale in calm waters.”
Blue whales are listed as endangered, with only about 15,000 left on the planet, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium. They are a favorite among whale watchers not only due to their scarcity but also because of their extraordinary size.
“There is nothing like seeing the largest animal to ever exist on the planet (that we know of),” research biologist Colleen Talty with MBWW told McClatchy News.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, blue whales can grow up to 330,000 pounds and 110 feet in length. By comparison, college and professional basketball courts are 94 feet long. The weight of one blue whale is equivalent to that of dozens of elephants.
Surprisingly given their size, they are exquisite to observe, according to those who have gotten to see these whales in real life.
“They are beautiful, graceful animals,” Talty said.
This story was originally published August 1, 2024 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Creature the length of a basketball court enchants boaters off California, photos show."