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Why are gray whales called 'manta rays'? How strong is their fighting instinct?
Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) are named for the gray and white patches on their dark skin that are indentations left by parasites. This huge whale migrates between its breeding and feeding grounds every year. It can reach a length of 14.9 meters and a weight of 41 tons. Its life span is about 55 to 70 years. There are even reports that individual female whales can reach 75 years old. Until 1980. Gray whales are called "devil fish" mainly because of the strong resistance they show when being hunted. In fact, when hunters use whale traps to catch them, gray whales fight back so hard that the act of whaling becomes dangerous.
This act of defiance has earned them the historical nickname "devil fish" and highlights their strong will in the face of threats.
Unique ecology and distribution
Gray whales are a very unique species in their ecosystem. They have two main populations in the North Pacific: the Eastern and Western populations, which are significantly different in morphology and genetics. The eastern population, numbering approximately 27,000 individuals, migrates primarily between Alaska and Baja California. The western population has been on a gradual decline, with its breeding numbers reaching a low point in 2010, with only about 26 breeding females left.
During the migration season, mother gray whales demonstrate their indomitable character by returning to their breeding grounds with their calves and fighting off any potential threats. Many observers report that when a calf is faced with an attack, the mother will courageously change course and engage in vigorous defensive action.
For this reason, the gray whale has earned the undisputed reputation of "devil fish" and reminds us to think about the survival instincts of these marine giants in adapting to their environment and mating season.
Strength of fighting instinct
The gray whale's fighting instinct is not only due to its maternal protective instinct, but is also closely related to its response to capture. Gray whales typically fight back against hunters without hesitation, the study noted, a behavior that makes the entire whaling process extremely challenging. Although gray whale numbers have gradually recovered over the past few decades, many threats still exist.
For example, the overall population of western gray whales has failed to grow steadily since 2010, and environmental changes in recent years, including reduced sea ice and marine pollution, have also taken a toll on their survival. In this harsh environment, gray whales still show a strong fighting spirit and continue to fight against external threats.
When facing human hunting and natural enemies, gray whales use their courage and wisdom to protect their offspring, which makes their fighting instinct a true ocean legend.
Protection and Future Outlook
With the continuous advancement of protection work, the living environment of gray whales has improved. Many organizations and countries are working to protect these animals, working to reduce threats such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Under the latest revision, the conservation status of the western gray whale has been downgraded from crisis to endangered, an important indicator of conservation progress.
But even so, the future of gray whales remains uncertain. Many scientists have called for greater protection of their ecosystems to ensure this delicate and powerful species can continue to survive through the generations.
However, as global climate change and human impacts on the oceans continue, it raises an unsettling question: How will gray whales cope with new challenges in the oceans of the future?
