Humpbacks feed extensively during summer time at high latitudes, which during that time they build up their blubber layers. During the winter time these animals will migrate to the lower latitudes/tropical waters, which are their breeding and birthing grounds. When they do migrate from to and from the warmer waters there is very little to nothing for them to eat - hence the intense feeding behaviour in summer season in order to build up their energy storage aka blubber.
This is why we believe that females tend to be physically larger than the males, as she will need extra blubber and energy stores - especially if she is pregnant. She needs that extra energy reserves for the little one to develop/the gestation period, she migrates to her birthing ground - a few thousand miles, give birth and lactates for a few months to her calf can physically survive the trip back to their feeding grounds - ALL whilst protecting her young calf from potential predators.
She does most of this whilst not eating...
To give you an idea of how much energy passes over to little one - she will pump about 150 gallons of milk a day, which is about 1,200 glasses of milk - A DAY! Simply impressive - I love these animals.
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