Gray Whales, 'Eschrichtius robustus', during the 1977-1978 and 1978-1979 Winter Seasons in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico

摘要

Gray whales, Eschrichtius robustus, were studied at Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico during the 1977-1978 and 1978-1979 breeding seasons. Peak populations of approximately 300 whales (not including calves) were reached in February of each year. Whales other than females with calves vacated the lagoon by mid-March while females with calves continued to increase until April. Cows with calves exclusively occupied the lagoon from mid-March through the end of each study period in mid-April. The occupation of the lagoon by all whales in 1979 was approximately 14.9 days later than in 1978. Whales were most active in the early morning and late afternoon, utilizing the incoming tides to move into the lagoon and the falling tides to move towards the entrance.