Sept-Îles, a beautiful coastal town in Québec, Canada, is an amazing place for whale watching. The waters off the coast are home to many species of whales, including the magnificent blue whale, the playful humpback whale, and the sleek fin whale. The best time to see whales in Sept-Îles is during the summer when they migrate to feed in the rich waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Let's dive in and learn more about these incredible creatures!
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth. These gentle giants can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh as much as 200 tons! Despite their enormous size, blue whales are known for their graceful swimming. They have a distinct blue-gray color with lighter spots, and their heart alone can be as big as a small car. Blue whales eat tiny shrimp-like animals called krill, consuming up to 4 tons of them each day. When a blue whale surfaces, you'll see a tall, straight spout of water that can reach up to 30 feet high. They have a broad, flat head and a small dorsal fin located far back on their body. Another unique feature is their long, slender shape compared to other whales.
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are famous for their spectacular acrobatics. They can often be seen breaching, or jumping out of the water, and slapping their fins on the surface. Humpbacks have distinctive, knobby heads and long pectoral fins. They are known for their beautiful and complex songs, which can travel great distances underwater. Their flippers are white on the underside, which makes them easy to spot.
Fin Whale
Fin whales are the second-largest whales after blue whales. They are sleek and fast, earning them the nickname "the greyhound of the sea." Fin whales can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour! They have a distinctive asymmetrical coloring on their lower jaw: the right side is white, while the left side is dark. One of the easiest ways to identify a fin whale is by its asymmetrical coloring on its lower jaw. The right side is white, while the left side is dark. This unique feature helps distinguish them from other whales.
Whale watching in Sept-Îles offers a unique opportunity to see these amazing creatures up close. Whether you're watching a blue whale spout water, a humpback whale perform a breathtaking breach, or a fin whale glide through the waves, it's an experience you'll never forget.
Sources:
For the blog post:
Canadian Geographic. (n.d.). Blue Whale. Retrieved from Canadian Geographic: Blue Whale.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation. (n.d.). Humpback Whale. Retrieved from Whale and Dolphin Conservation: Humpback Whale.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Fin Whale. Retrieved from NOAA: Fin Whale.
How do I go about identify whales? Retrieved from https://baleinesendirect.org/en/observe/who/identification-species/
For the letter:
Campeau, Camille & Kirouac, Marie. 2018. Tshakapesh: le plus petit des grands chasseurs. Possibles editions
Mcintosh, A. (2006, Feb.7). Kasthin. Last edited September 19, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kashtin-emc
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