The Gray (or Grey) Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is a baleen whale that travels between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. It reaches a length of about 16 meters (52 ft), a weight of 36 tons and an age of 50–60 years. Gray Whales were once called Devil Fish because of their fighting behavior when hunted. The Gray Whale is the sole species in the genus Eschrichtius, which in turn is the sole genus in the family Eschrichtiidae. This animal is descended from the filter-feeding whales that developed at the beginning of the Oligocene, over 30 million years before the present.
The Gray Whale is a dark slate-gray in color and covered by characteristic gray-white patterns, scars left by parasites which drop off in the cold feeding grounds. Individual whales are typically identified using photographs of their dorsal surface and matching the scars and patches associated with parasites that have fallen off the whale or are still attached.
While it possesses similar characteristics to many of the baleen whales, there are some notable features that distinguish the gray whale from other Mysticetes. The baleen of gray whales is variously described as cream, off-white, or blond in color, and unusually short compared to that of other baleen whales. Small depressions on the upper jaw contain a lone stiff hair each, but can only be seen on close inspection. On the ventral surface of the head, it lacks the numerous prominent furrows of the related rorquals, instead bearing two to five shallow furrows on the underside of the throat. The Gray Whale also lacks a dorsal fin, instead bearing several dorsal 'knuckles,' which are 6 to 12 raised bumps on the midline of the rear quarter of the animal, leading to the fluke or tail. The tail itself is 10–12 ft (3.7 m) across and deeply notched at the center while tapering at the edges to a point.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect whale tattoo.
Also Check out: Marine Life Tattoo Index, Killer Whales, Dolphin Tattoos,
