The gray whale received its name from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin

A gray whale can stay submerged up to 15 minutes, and travel at 3-6 miles per hour

The calf weighs 1,100-1,500 pounds (500-680 kg) and is about 15 feet (4.5 m) at birth. Calves nurse 7-8 months on milk that is 53% fat (human milk is 2% fat)

Females bear a single calf, at intervals of 2 or more years

To feed, a whale dives to the bottom, rolls on its side and draws bottom sediments and water into its mouth. As it closes its mouth, water and sediments are expelled through the baleen plates, which trap the food on the inside near the tongue to be swallowed

For more information visit the American Cetacean Society