Calving
The shallow lagoons of Baja California are perfect for a gray
whale to have her calf. Another female gray whale, called an
auntie, helps the mother when the calf is born.
When the calf is born, it is about 15 feet long and weighs
about 1,500 pounds. The mother whale's milk is 53% fat, which
is 10 times richer than cow's milk. The calf needs this fat
to build up blubber for the long trip north.
Training
The calf must get in shape before the long trip north. The calf
swims against the current as water flows into the lagoon. This
helps develop the calf's swimming muscles.
By the time the whales leave the lagoons the calf is about
19 feet long, and weighs about 3,000 pounds.
END
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