In case you thought wildlife in New York was pretty much limited to the squirrels and pigeons of Central Park, Howard Rosenbaum has news for you.
“In less distance out to sea than the average New Yorker’s commute home, there is likely a whale singing at this very moment,” says Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants program at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
7 Species Of Whales Spotted In New York Waters
Humpback whales (seen above) are regularly seen in the waters off the Big Apple, while fin whales inhabit the waters around the eastern tip of Long Island. Five other species, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and minke and sperm whales, as well as sei whales and the blue whale, the largest animal that has ever lived (seen below) have also been seen or heard in New York waters.
In case you thought wildlife in New York was pretty much limited to the squirrels and pigeons of Central Park, Howard Rosenbaum has news for you.
“In less distance out to sea than the average New Yorker’s commute home, there is likely a whale singing at this very moment,” says Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants program at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
7 Species Of Whales Spotted In New York Waters
Humpback whales (seen above) are regularly seen in the waters off the Big Apple, while fin whales inhabit the waters around the eastern tip of Long Island. Five other species, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and minke and sperm whales, as well as sei whales and the blue whale, the largest animal that has ever lived (seen below) have also been seen or heard in New York waters.
While it’s believed that more whales are frequenting these places as a result of cleaner waters, not much is known about them, including which ones actually live there year-round. The aquarium’s parent organization, the Wildlife Conservation Association, has partnered with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the biggest independent ocean research center in the U.S., to conduct the largest-ever survey of New York’s whales.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/what-do-you-know-about-new-york-whales.html#ixzz4EUavXYno
Image: Humpback whale
Credits: Gotham Whale via PHYS.org
