Eschrichtius robustus

Eschrichtius robustus, commonly known as the gray whale, is a marine mammal known for its extensive annual migration between feeding grounds in the Arctic and breeding areas along coastal waters. They are characterized by a robust body, paddle-shaped flippers, and a distinctive head with 5 to 7 dorsal ridges instead of a traditional dorsal fin. Gray whales feed primarily on small invertebrates found in sediment, using their baleen plates to filter food from mud and water. They are social animals, often observed traveling in groups, and play a vital role in their marine ecosystems.