Mammals · La Saladita, Guerrero

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Spanish: Ballena jorobada

The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual and is the only species in the genus Megaptera. Adults range in length from 14–17 m (46–56 ft) and weigh up to 40 metric tons. The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song that typically lasts from 4 to 33 minutes.

TaxonomyMammalia › Cetacea › Balaenopteridae

Local records28 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)

Global records36,702 on iNaturalist

Most recent records2025 – 2026

Months of the 8 most recent records

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Recent local sightings

2026-03-12 — observation by fer_alvarado
2026-03-01 — observation by soulbiol
2026-02-11 — observation by axymoron
2026-02-01 — observation by leo_ponce98
2025-12-14 — observation by scottveirs
2025-12-14 — observation by scottveirs

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Mammals guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/megaptera-novaeangliae/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.