The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. Often noted for its marine species diversity, nearly 30 species of marine mammals, five species of sea turtle, and 50 species of shark can be found within these waters. While some of the largest may be migratory, they are some of the most captivating marine species (whales and sharks) of the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s take a look at just five of them here.
Largest Whales in the Gulf of Mexico
Fin Whale
The fin whale is the second largest whale on Earth, surpassed only by the mighty blue whale. It can be up to 88 feet long and weigh as much as 76 tons, making it the largest of the marine species of the Gulf of Mexico. The females are somewhat bigger than the males. Fin whales are believed to live for 80 or 90 years.
Sperm Whale
Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales in the world. The Gulf of Mexico is home to a population of female sperm whales, and people have often spotted whales with calves. Sperm whales are most commonly found off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. The males can be up to 60 feet long, while the females can reach 40 feet. Sperm whales are known for their diving prowess; they can go as deep as two miles and stay underwater for up to an hour. Their main prey is squid — including the formidable giant squid!
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are often the stars of whale-watching tours. This whale can reach a maximum length of 51 feet and weigh as much as 37.5 tons. Humpback whales are sometimes called “singing whales,” and they are also known for their habit of leaping out of the water and slapping the surface with their enormous flukes.
Sei Whale
The sei whale is another baleen whale, and adults can be 40 to 60 feet long. Females are believed to be slightly larger than the males. They have the distinction of being the fastest whales with a top speed of 34.5 miles an hour.
Whale Shark
Whale sharks visit the Gulf of Mexico in the summer. These aptly named sharks are the world’s biggest fish. The largest recorded specimen on record was 40 feet long, but they are believed to get even bigger. Whale sharks reach an average length of 32.8 feet and typically weigh around 26.6 tons. They are filter feeders that live on plankton.
