Skip to content
TrueNorthBriefQuick, clear answers for curious Canadians
Things

Grey Whale

What is grey whale?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Scientific name Eschrichtius robustus[1]
Type Mammal[1]
Length 40 to 50 feet[1]
Weight 30 to 40 tons[1]
IUCN status Least concern[1]

The grey whale is a species of baleen whale, scientifically named *Eschrichtius robustus*, found only in the North Pacific Ocean and known for its long migrations.

Context

The grey whale is a baleen whale species with the scientific name *Eschrichtius robustus* [1]. It lives in the North Pacific Ocean and is known for long migrations between feeding and breeding areas [3]. Grey whales feed in shallow coastal waters [2]. There are eastern and western Pacific populations [2]. The species is listed as Least concern by the IUCN [1].

Documented claims

  • Grey whales are baleen whales that live only in the Pacific Ocean. [2]
  • They make one of the longest migrations of any mammal. [3]
  • There are separate eastern and western Pacific populations. [2]

Questions and answers

Are grey whales bigger than orcas?

Grey whales reach 40 to 50 feet in length and weigh 30 to 40 tons [1]. Orcas are smaller, but the sources do not provide a direct comparison.

Is a grey whale a humpback?

No, a grey whale is a distinct species of baleen whale, *Eschrichtius robustus*, not a humpback [1].

How many grey whales are left?

The sources do not give a current population number, but the grey whale is listed as Least concern by the IUCN [1].

Sources

  1. Gray whale | Migration, Feeding Habits & Conservation | Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Gray Whale | National Geographic — nationalgeographic.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Grey Whale – biology fast facts - Marine Mammal Research Unitmmru.ubc.ca › biology › grey-whale — mmru.ubc.ca (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things