09/09/2026
DID YOU KNOW? – AND NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP!
To all our customers who have seen humpback whales with us – or anywhere else in the world:
Do you have photos of humpback whales showing the underside of the tail fluke as almost completely black – or do your photos predominantly show white or strongly patterned black-and-white undersides?
This question is actually scientifically interesting. Humpback whales show noticeable differences in the coloration of their tail flukes and pectoral fins between populations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere typically show a significantly higher proportion of white coloration. This is particularly striking on the underside of the tail fluke, which can be extensively white or strongly patterned in black and white. In some individuals, the contrast is extreme.
In humpback whales from the **Northern Hemisphere**, considerably darker flukes are more common, sometimes with substantially less white.
**But this is where it gets interesting: What do your own photographs show?**
We would love to compare them with you!
If you have ever photographed humpback whales – whether with Atlantic Ocean Safaris, on another trip, or anywhere else in the world – **please feel free to upload your photos in the comments.**
We are particularly interested in photographs where the **underside of the tail fluke is clearly visible.**
Perhaps together we can get a better impression of just how significant these differences really are – and whether your observations correspond with what has been described in the scientific literature regarding the different coloration of humpback whales from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Show us your flukes!
We can't wait to see your photos!
expert-tours.com
