Facts about whales in Québec: Become an expert | Bonjour Québec Blog

What luck! Québec is one of the few places in the world with such a wide variety of cetaceans – there are 13 species to discover. This treasure trove of wildlife naturally sparks a lot of interest and curiosity. That’s why we’ve prepared some fun facts for you to share on your next trip out to sea between spectacular sightings of these (amazing!) creatures.

1. Present long before humans made an appearance

Did you know that whales first appeared 50 million years ago, well after dinosaurs went extinct, but long before humans roamed the earth? They’re thought to be descended from Indohyus, an ancient artiodactyl (i.e., a four-legged land mammal) well adapted for running. In other words, cetaceans share a common ancestor with modern artiodactyls, such as cows, pigs, camels, giraffes and hippos!

Close-up of the tail of a humpback whale as it dives back into the St. Lawrence River.

2. Giants as a survival strategy

Over 4.5 million years ago, baleen whales, the first Mysticeti whales, (whereas toothed whales belong to the Odontoceti suborder) were 5 to 9 metres long (roughly the length of a minke whale today)

In spring and summer, nutrients trapped in the ice are released into the open water and build up near the coast. Plankton previously scattered throughout the ocean is carried along by currents and begins to form seasonal blooms, sometimes thousands of kilometres apart. Larger specimens with higher energy stores were able to travel longer distances to feast on these fresh all-you-can-eat buffets.

13 whale species to keep an eye out for in Québec

From killer whales to blue whales and North Atlantic right whales, the St. Lawrence River and the Fjord du Saguenay provide a navigational environment conducive to a host of majestic marine mammals.

In the open water, a humpback whale leaps out of the St. Lawrence River with a splash.

3. A keen sixth sense

Have you ever heard of magnetoreception? Several studies suggest that cetaceans may possess this unique sixth sense, which allows them to detect variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. This internal compass helps them navigate during their migratory journeys.

4. On the menu: they prefer krill!

Have you heard of Moby Dick, the huge and ferocious white sperm whale that bit off the leg of the ship’s captain in the novel of the same name? Well, that doesn’t actually happen. Humans aren’t on the menu for any whale species! Interestingly, they don’t like seaweed either.