The humpback whale also called yubarta or gubarte, a large animal, is characterized, among other things, by its agility to perform jumps and maromas on the sea surface. If you want to know a little more about the life of this interesting marine animal, in this article you will find information of interest.
humpback whale evolution
The humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Baleen whale cetacean that presents the following classification Its genus: Megaptera being the only representative of its species, it forms its own subfamily the Megapterinae made up of 8 species of whales, the Balaenopteridae (rorquals) where the blue whale is part , fin whale, bryde's.
Thirty-five to 35 million years ago, during the Eocene Period, studies indicate that the first whales appeared, purifying seawater for their food. Their evolution was very slow, with a new species emerging twelve to fifteen million years later in the Miocene Period. It is thought that at some point in history, the members of the suborders separated from each other.
Deductions from molecular studies reveal that the ancestry of the blue whale and the rorqual whale diverged more than five million years ago, and that the humpback whale had already differentiated by that time. There is no clear evidence that allows us to specify a precise date; however, it is suggested that the ancestry of the blue whale and the rorqual whale diverged more than five million years ago.
The humpback whale was initially noted as "baleine de la Nouvelle Angleterre" by Mathurin Jacques Brisson in his Regnum Animale of 1756. In 1781, Georg Heinrich Borowski referred to the species, calling it by its equivalent Latin name, Balaena novaeangliae.
At the beginning of the 1846th century, Lacépède separated it from the Balaenidae family, with the binomial name Balaenoptera jubartes. In 1932, John Edward Gray formed the genus Megaptera, with the name Megaptera longpinna for the species, but in XNUMX Remington Kellogg reinstated the specific name established by Borowski, novaeangliae.
Origin
The word Megaptera means large wings where it refers to its pectoral fins. The naturist Georg Heinrich Borowski gives it the name novaeangliae after investigations carried out in New England.
Yubarta word of French origin possibly come from the variation of the jubartes sound coming from the English word gibbard or from the Latin gibbus, which means hump referring to the shape that its back takes when it is submerged.
General Characteristics
They are mysticete cetaceans, that is, they have beards instead of teeth. The humpback whale is known by the names Yubarta and Gubarte, it is a whale, which means that it does not belong to the Balaenidae family that would give it the name of whale, but, even so, in Spanish language it is known as humpback whale.
Humpback whales are robust, their size ranges between 12 to 16m approximately as adults, they weigh 36.000 kg. The female is larger than the male. The males emit a characteristic song that is believed to be for mating purposes. They usually propel themselves and perform maneuvers on the water and then drop. They are found in much of the oceans and seas.
The lifespan of humpback whales ranges from 40 to 50 years. Their population has been in danger of extinction due to excessive hunting and environmental changes. Currently, these populations are protected from uncontrolled hunting. To learn more about the current situation of this cetacean, you can visit the article on whales in general and characteristics of the humpback whale.
The humpback whale has been able to reestablish itself faster than other species of whales, increasing the population almost twice from the 20 that existed in 1966 to the present. A population of 11.600 individuals is estimated in the North Atlantic Ocean, 7.000 in the North Pacific Ocean, and at least 17.000 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Their movement speed under normal conditions is between 8 and 15 km/h and in extreme conditions they can reach 27 km/h. They can even submerge. A curious fact about humpback whales is that they usually raise their head above the water and not the rest of their body. They can eat from 4 to 5500 pounds of food a day if they have the opportunity, which is an important factor in their survival. eating.
Morphology of a humpback whale
Its back is black, and on the abdomen you can distinguish black, white, or spotted. It has hair follicles on the head and jaw. The dorsal fin is small and varies in each individual, sometimes being nonexistent. Its pectoral fin is long, reaching a third of the width of the body. The color depends on the part of the planet it is found in. In the North Atlantic it can be white, while in the North Pacific it is often black.
The difference in size of the pectoral fin with respect to other species could be interpreted as a progress that affirms a greater mobility, and a greater contact area, helping to regulate the internal temperature during migrations and corner their prey in groups.
Its head is uneven and has a black coloration on the dorsal area. The tail has in its lower part a unique model in each individual, being black and white; it also has a distinctive serrated shape on the trailing edge of the caudal fin.
The cerebellum makes up 20% of the brain's weight. As for smell, it is believed non-existent, since the lobe and the elements that make up the sense of smell are not usable. It has a layer of skin and fat that varies according to the time of year, age and functional position.
The weight of humpback whales varies according to the area, those that live in the coldest areas can weigh up to 50 tons, meanwhile, those in tropical areas weigh approximately 30 tons. Its tail can be up to 12 feet wide. Your heart weighs about 350 pounds and has four chambers.
It manages to expel the air from its lungs up to three meters, a temperature shock is produced when the hot air leaves the lungs and comes into contact with the cold environment creating vaporization.
They have a series of ventral folds that start from the tip of the jaw to the umbilical area. Characteristic of balenopterids, humpback whales have between 14 and 22 gular folds, which dilate when they feed, expanding the volume of the oral cavity, other species have more folds that are deeper than the one that the humpback has, among them we have the blue whale
The humpbacks have beards that are filters that retain food when feeding (mollusks, crustaceans, etc). When a large amount of water enters its mouth, it uses its tongue to take it towards the palate, filtering the water through the beards and thus retains the food that it is going to digest.
The baleen or whales particularities of the suborder. They have 270 to 400 dark-colored barbs located on each side of the mouth. Another important characteristic has to do with the difference between the sexes. The females have a 15 cm lobe. that distinguishes her from the male.
A white humpback has been observed off the coast of Australia. He was given the name Migaloo, he was considered an albino for a long time, but he has pigmentation in his eyes. He has drawn attention for having the company of another of his kind with the same characteristics.
Habitat
They are scattered throughout much of the land such as in the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic Oceans, Bering Sea and icy waters of Antarctica and in the southern hemisphere. Their life takes place in a migratory process from the polar regions to tropical or subtropical areas and vice versa as the case may be for feeding, reproduction and development of the young and they gather in desolate populations.
The group found in the Persian Gulf last in its waters all year round. You won't find humpbacks in the Baltic Sea or the Arctic Ocean or the easternmost part of the Mediterranean.
Migration and Population
Their migration is seasonal; they move at the beginning of summer, when they prefer cold waters, and remain there until winter, when they move to warmer waters.
The purpose of the migration is not clear; it is thought to be a way to obtain energy and take advantage of climate changes by moving to distant, opposite places, from extreme cold to warm places where they obtain sufficient food and undergo the gestation process, unlike the group found in the Persian Gulf, which remain there all year round since they do not need to migrate.
The humpback can be seen in all the oceans between the coordinates 60ºS to 65ºN, they travel routes of more than 25.000 kilometers a year, thus achieving a record when traveling from cold waters of high latitudes to warm climates. This species has shown that it has the ability to rebuild itself more easily than other mysticete species.
Food
Among the mysticetes, the humpback whale has a wide variety of foods for its consumption. They feed in the summer, and in the winter they subsist on stored body fat. Among the foods they consume are krill, schools of small fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, capelin, mackerel, saithe, haddock, and copepods, the variety depending on where they are found.
To obtain their prey, they often attack fish directly with strong movements, confusing their prey by slapping the water with their pectoral or caudal fins. They also use a technique called bubble netting, where a group of individuals work together in a combined manner, each with a specific function.
The school of fish is surrounded, one group surrounds the fish generating the circle and releasing air bubbles through its spiracle, another group dives deep to guide the fish to the center of the net, while the others group the fish through vocalizations. All this confuses the school of fish. Once they are grouped, they pounce on them taking large mouthfuls of food and drain the water taken in the process through the gular folds.
The circumference generated by the whales when surrounding the group of fish can reach a radius of 30 cm, forming a kind of cylinder that as the humpbacks rotate the ring of the net becomes increasingly narrower to catch stunned and disoriented prey, in this process they absorb a large amount of water that is then expelled.
Behavior
Their social structure is limited; they are generally found in small, inconsistent groups. The mother-child bond is recognized as the strongest and most stable within the group. When alone, they are calm; however, when together, they tend to be quite violent, especially when protecting some of the group members or protecting themselves from whaling ships.
During the foraging process, groups are more stable and work together to obtain their prey. Generally, pair relationships don't last very long, nor do humpbacks stay with the same members.
Thanks to its distribution throughout almost the entire world, its behavior with other species of whales and the scarce interaction between them and with birds with which it shares food can be observed. The song of the humpback whale is prolonged and very energetic, using its nasal cavity since they do not have vocal cords.
Canto
This species has been characterized by the emission of prolonged, energetic and complicated songs that result when air passes through its nasal cavity. Both genders can make songs, but it is the males that make the loudest and longest sounds.
Each whale produces a unique call, a series that varies in depth and repetition and that they develop slowly over time. They never repeat a sequence or song they've already sung. They can sing continuously for up to a full day, in periods of 10 to 20 minutes.
The variation and intensity of their song will become more complex during the mating season. When hunting for food, they emit different sounds to use the bubble net. Each group has a specific song that differentiates them from other groups found in other latitudes, a sound that gradually changes and will not be repeated.
In short, it can be said that it is a means of communication where several groups of the same species can interact and indicate location, if they have a partner, the mother-child relationship. They can make sounds similar to growls, bellows and barks.
Calls can be classified as wops, the calls made between mother and infant, and thwomps, the social calls to other members outside the mother-infant relationship. Their calls can be heard up to 100 miles away.
Swimming and diving and Aerial Behavior
As we mentioned, humpback whales are slow swimmers. Their migration speed can be estimated at 7,9 to 15,1 km/h (27 to XNUMX mph) under normal conditions, and in extreme conditions, they can reach XNUMX km/h (XNUMX mph) after being stalked or injured.
The duration and permanence of the dives depend on the season. In summer, the dive time lasts between 5 and 10 minutes, and in winter, it can last up to XNUMX minutes.
They can perform jumps, handstands, fin strikes in the area, whether caudal or pectoral, charges or dodges.
Reproduction of humpback whales
Humpback whales are polygamous; males compete violently with each other to get to the females in heat. In summer, in tropical waters, the mating process begins. This occurs once every two years, but under certain circumstances, it can happen twice in a three-year period.
They reach sexual maturity between 4 and 6 years of age, with females typically developing earlier than males. The sexual and reproductive organs of both sexes increase in size in preparation for mating.
When females reach adulthood, their ovarian volume remains unchanged. They usually ovulate once per mating season. When ovulation approaches, the Graafian follicles, located on the surface of the ovaries, enlarge.
They start during the winter; the fight for the couple is usually intense. Groups of males from two to twenty individuals surround a single female to carry out various demonstrations, which they take advantage of to establish relationships of authority between the males. The combat lasts for hours and the size of the group varies between the arrival and departure of winners and losers.
From the few investigations carried out regarding the copulation process, it has been shown that the couple performs a ritual where they start swimming together aligned, intertwine and pair their pectoral and caudal fins, and then submerge and then emerge vertically united by the ventral zones to then move away and let each one fall into the water by his side.
Calf
The period of pregnancy lasts from 11 to 11,5 months. They are born in tropical or subtropical climates, the calf can reach 4 to 4,5 meters in length and weigh 700 kilos.
For a year they are fed by their mother, but the first months their diet is exclusively milk, from 6 months they are able to obtain their own food and combine it with their milk until they reach one year. The milk it receives is made up of fats, proteins, lactose and water, being quite nutritious for the calf.
According to new studies that indicate that the baby whispers to its mother if there is danger, since in the water the sound runs faster and they could be devoured if they do not pay attention.
The calves must travel 5.000 km without being separated from their mother in the migration process.
The separation between mother and child occurs in the second year of life when they are ready to live independently; at this age they are 9 meters long.
Predators
In nature, their natural enemy is the orca. There are no records of attacks against these animals, but the marks and trauma caused by these attacks have been evident on their bodies and fins. The calves are more vulnerable, which is why they travel in groups to defend themselves.
Another problem facing the whales is the change in the environment due to the greenhouse effect. This alters their routine, as areas where they used to go no longer provide the necessary benefits of warmth, food, and tranquility. In many cases, it can lead to death.
Man has also influenced the course of history in the losses suffered by humpback whales. The reasons that motivate them have been varied: the commercialization of their products, the needs of certain towns, collisions with ships, they have been subjected to cruel treatment and have been killed mercilessly.
Relations with the human being
Throughout time, humpback whales have been a source of curiosity for humans, with their main characteristics highlighted in stories, legends, myths, and novels. They are often featured as the main character in sailor tales, highlighting their astonishing leaps through the water or the songs they emit. They recreate fantasies and give life to stories that make reference to the existence of monsters in the sea or enchantments produced by their song. Today, swimmers who encounter a humpback whale report feeling disoriented upon hearing its song.
the whale hunt
In the 19th century, whaling increased significantly. The uncontrolled industrial use of new tools created an imbalance in the ecosystem by altering the environment and causing significant losses in the humpback whale population, a situation evident in Europe and Russia.
Private interests (Russian-Japanese) generated war conflicts between countries, in order to access and control the whale resources found in the Sea of Japan and the North Pacific, an event that occurred between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
At this time, a technological advance was generated in the creation of machinery and tools to be used in hunting, we will mention some products created for this purpose.
- Manufacture and conditioning of special boats for hunting and resistant to the high seas.
- Organization of well-structured expeditions whose purpose was to take advantage of areas already indicated.
- These ships are equipped with long-range cannons that generate a lot of damage.
- The use of explosive harpoons.
The whaling industry waged a senseless hunt against this species for many years. In many parts of the world, many specimens were killed. It is estimated that the population was reduced by 10% in the 200.000th century. In places like the Southern Hemisphere, nearly 28.000 specimens were killed, and in the North Pacific, some 48.000 humpback whales were killed, XNUMX of them at the hands of illegal Soviet hunting ships.
The worldwide indiscriminate hunting resulted in the brutal deaths of entire groups, with reports of losses of up to 90%. Their persecution was officially ended in 1966.
In 1949, an international delegation was formed to search for viable solutions to the emerging problem. Countries such as France, Spain, England, and the Netherlands voluntarily abandoned this practice. To halt the loss of this species, an international moratorium or extension was established in 1966, which remains in effect today.
The serious situation that was occurring with this species forced many countries to agree on the case, there were so few existing specimens that their commercialization was not lucrative. The amount of 250 thousand humpbacks hunted was publicly handled, but it is estimated that the number could be higher.
The Soviet Union was considered one of the main causes of the disappearance of this species, falsifying the figures to indicate 2.710 deaths when it is believed that the actual number was 48.
In 2004, controlled hunting was approved. Hunting methods, permitted quantities, and respect for the ecosystem must be taken into account. One of the permitted areas is the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. These areas guarantee that the local population will not be endangered.
For the defenders of the whales, it cannot be guaranteed that they are out of danger. Among the points evaluated by them we have:
- The contamination of the seas grows in an alarming and uncontrolled way.
- The clandestine hunt continues.
- There are countries that keep hunting for scientific reasons.
Among the countries that continue with the hunting process, knowing that in 1985 a new moratorium was signed, the following are mentioned:
- Japan and Russia in an industrialized manner.
- Norway in its coastal area.
- Iceland in its coastal area for Japan.
- Artisanal hunting such as the Eskimos of Alaska and Aborigines of Siberia, Canada and the Caribbean.
Despite hunting restrictions, the killing of humpback whales persists in many areas. For some time, Soviet fishing vessels and some indigenous tribes continued their practices, and accidents such as collisions with vessels or entanglement in fishing gear have also occurred. Despite these losses, the population has not significantly decreased.
Thanks to these actions, the whales have been able to recover and are no longer in danger of extinction. The figures for 1999 are 10.400 in the North Atlantic and 6.000 to 8.000 in the North Pacific.
In 2000, the population was estimated at 20.000, and today there are more than 35.000 humpback whales, with 12.000 in the North Atlantic, 7.000 in the North Pacific, and at least 17.000 in the Southern Hemisphere.
International Treaties
With the purpose of providing a guide to care for and safeguard the environment, the United Nations Organization created the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. At the conference, the Declaration on the Human Environment was adopted, which in its final text consisted of seven proclamations and 26 principles.
During the conference, 106 recommendations were approved and attached to the action plan, which outlines the tasks and principles that will guide governments and international organizations. The "Earth Watch" program was established, based on the prevention of various international environmental problems.
The work agenda included proposals related to prevention, culture, and education for environmental protection. Recommendation 33 refers to the importance of countries reaching an international agreement banning whaling for ten years. Despite its importance, this agreement was not implemented.
Recommendation number 32 did achieve approval. It is based on the protection that must be given to migratory animals and those that live in international waters. From here came the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Fauna (Washington, 1973).
In Annex I of the agreement, the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other species are considered as "endangered migratory species" species with probable extinction, according to analyzed sources and studies on population dynamics.
Also in annex I, a relation is made to the express prohibition of the capture of the species already listed in this same annex, and the exceptions allowed: For scientific purposes, with the aim of preserving the species itself, which is carried out by some tribal groups , and exceptional situations that it deems necessary.
Another tool of great value is the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), among its objectives is the prohibition of international trade negotiations that have as protagonist the multiple species of wild fauna and flora that are in danger. .
This agreement is structured into 25 articles and three appendices, listing a set of species considered to be in danger of extinction and their use in trade, one of which is the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Another important agreement was raised on December 2, 1946 in the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. This agreement is made up of 11 articles and a regulation. In its introduction, the absurd predation that the whales have suffered is evidenced, beginning the possible extinction of some species.
Article 3 of the Convention establishes the establishment of an International Whaling Commission (IWC), which is the only global structure related to the conservation and maintenance of marine fishery resources.
The (CIB) seeks to create agreements that allow saving and preserving marine species, in these agreements everything related to the protection of the species is specified, such as the preservation and use of whale stocks and determine the protected and non-protected classes; the opening and closing of seasons; open and closed water areas.
The choice of refuge areas is included; the size limits for each species; the timing, techniques and intensity of whaling (including the limit of whales that can be hunted in a given season); apparatus and instruments that can be used; measurement methods; and forms for recording hunting or other statistical and biological data.
Quota setting creates a great deal of international controversy, as it must be governed by a specific number that can vary depending on the species' level of danger and takes into account the profitability of the operation. In 1961, the ICB banned the capture of humpback whales.
In various meetings, they failed to reach an agreement on a complete suspension of whaling. Among the countries that disagreed with this proposal were Japan and the former Soviet Union, arguing that it contradicted the provisions of the International Convention Regulating Whaling.
In various meetings with the IBF, the United States took a firm stance by requesting a suspension of commercial whaling, except for whaling by tribal groups. This motion failed to achieve the consensus required for approval. The Japanese government outlined these five points in its official response to the United States.
The ICB monitors and controls the entire whaling population. Control is maintained over hunting while respecting established quotas. There is no need to impose a moratorium on all whaling species. There is no scientific requirement for doing so.
One of the Convention's goals is to ensure the proper preservation of whale stocks and allow the industry to develop. Collecting data on the whale population would be nearly impossible.
They expressed their disagreement with separating commercial whaling from subsistence whaling. In this perspective, both types of hunts are essentially the same in terms of the use of whales for the benefit of humanity.
The proposed moratorium would discourage non-member whaling countries from joining the Commission and could lead to the withdrawal of certain member countries, which could put an end to the IBC regime.
In a meeting held in 1982, a proposal presented by the states of Seychelles was approved, an effective moratorium was established to establish a zero quota that would begin from the period 1985 to 1986. Formally objected by Japan, Norway, Peru and the Soviet Union, the which did not prosper. The moratorium was effective until 1990. But the CIB has extended the moratorium year after year.
It is important to highlight that Article IX of the Convention requires each contracting government to ensure compliance with the established provisions and the imposition of corresponding penalties. This means that the IBC does not have the authority to impose sanctions. Many countries, such as the United States, have relied on extraterritorial provisions and local regulations that have helped curb poaching.
PELLY AND PACKWOOD-MAGNUSON AMENDMENTS
In 1969, the International Commission for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF) adopted this amendment, which was based on certifying compliance with established regulations, and gave authority to the U.S. Secretaries of State and Commerce to issue these certifications.
WHALE WAR
The dispute between Japan and the United States of America regarding whaling and fishing has been dubbed the Whale War, given the distinct interests of Japan as a whaling nation and the United States as a protector of whales.
Among the points taken into account following this dispute, we can highlight the IBC's deviation from its original principles, one of which was the advancement of the whaling industry, which is currently impractical. Furthermore, the requirement for quotas on whale capture for scientific research is contrary to the convention.
Reference is made in the eighth Article, where it is indicated that the member nations of the organization are authorized to “…grant any of their nationals a special permit authorizing the killing, taking and fishing of whales for scientific research purposes, subject to restrictions as to number and other conditions that the contracting governments deem necessary…”.
The moratorium assigned by the CIB is not established in scientific studies. The sentence was highly influenced by political, economic and emotional reasons. The CIB Technical Committee, shortly after Stockholm 1972, stated that the imposition of a moratorium had no scientific justification.
These conflicts have persisted over time. With these testimonies, he called into question the actions of the United States and environmental organizations, in other words, he offers a profound reflection on the integrity of these pro-whaling organizations.
Purposes of Humpback Whale Hunting
The uses of humpbacks were infinite. The oil obtained from its fat represents 40% of its weight, it is used in the industry to make soaps, tan leather, jute fabrics, and margarine production, among others.
The beards were used for umbrella ribs, fans, and corsets. The rest was used as fertilizer for the land, and the entrails were fed to dogs and cats. But the most coveted was the oil, a source of energy for many populations, especially Scandinavians, who managed to survive the cold season.
Research
This species has always generated curiosity, although there was information on the physiology of the whales due to hunting, information was required on their behavior, development, growth, mating, gestation, migration. Several studies allowed to give more precise information about the evolution of this animal.
In the 60s, scientists R. Chittleborough and WH Dawbin separately described the behavior, social relationship, and migration of humpbacks.
In 1971, Roger Payne and Scott McVey's Studies on Song were of collective interest, where they spoke of a species of great intelligence, thought to be overestimated, but this idea helped foundations that faced hunting.
Other studies regarding the shape and design of the caudal fin and the ability to identify each individual made it possible to study this species in more depth, since other species cannot be identified as easily.
Between 1973 and 1988, specimens from North Atlantis were observed for subsequent data analysis, providing valuable information on the gestation process, weaning, growth, social development, etc.
These studies made it possible to update data and carry out a more precise study on the dynamics of these groups. During this time, it was possible to create an inventory of images of all the whales of the North Atlantic, a work carried out by Wheelock College. Similar projects are being carried out in the North Pacific and in other regions.
Currently, the route and location of these specimens can be observed via satellite; the information is not real-time to prevent unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of this information.
sighting tourism
This species is usually very reckless and spontaneous, but they are the delight of many, since it is the ideal reason for whale analysis tourism, these events have occurred in various places on the planet since 1990. Between fascinating and worrying, this process could be described, since they usually swim on a par with any boat, but some could be a whaler.
Whales enjoy great popularity, their majestic acts are of great interest to the public. To achieve the mother's peace of mind regarding the safety of her calf, since they tend to be very overprotective and seek to place themselves between the ship and the calf, it has been tried that the tourist organizers maintain certain rules that avoid stressing the mother.
sighting site
- In the pacific
Isla de la Plata. Off the coast of Ecuador, Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park in Colombia is a tourist attraction where whales give birth.
- Central America
Costa Rica, the whale season goes from July to October for the Patagonian humpback whale and from January to March for the North Pacific whale, until they arrive at the Osa Peninsula where they perform their mating ritual and the gestation process. .
South America, they can be seen between June and November, Colombia in Bahía Málaga, Gorgona Island and the cove of the Ensenada de Utría National Natural Park. Likewise, on the Ecuadorian coasts of the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabi and Santa Elena, especially in the surroundings of the Isla de la Plata.
In North America, they can be seen off Washington State, New England (Boston), Vancouver Island, and Alaska; they can also be seen off the Mexican coast between December and March in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, as well as off Nayarit and the Baja California Peninsula. In Australia, they can be seen off the coasts of New South Wales and Queensland, with displays in Sydney and Hervey Bay being particularly popular.
- in the atlantic
Snaefelsnes Peninsula (west of Iceland), Azores Islands (Portugal), Samaná Bay and Banco de la Plata (Dominican Republic), Praia do Forte (Bahia, Brazil) between July and November.
Do not leave without first reading the following articles:
Marine animals
Strange animals that live at the bottom of the sea
