Whales reach sexual maturity at different ages depending on the species and sex. However, as an example, female Humpback whales typically reach sexual maturity around 5 years old, while males mature around 7 years old.
Here's a breakdown:
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Variations Across Species: It's crucial to understand that the age of sexual maturity varies significantly across different whale species. Some smaller whale species might mature earlier, while larger baleen whales might take longer.
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Gender Differences: Within a species, males and females might reach sexual maturity at different ages, as seen in Humpback whales.
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Humpback Whale Example:
- Females: Generally reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years of age.
- Males: Generally reach sexual maturity at approximately 7 years of age.
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Mating Behavior: Humpback whales exhibit a polygynous mating system, with males engaging in aggressive competition for mating opportunities with females during their estrous cycle.
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Breeding Season: The breeding season typically occurs during the winter months when whales migrate to tropical waters.
Therefore, it is important to specify the whale species when discussing the age at which whales mate. For Humpback whales, females are ready around 5 and males around 7.
