Whale Reproduction

Whales are viviparous; they give birth to live young. Gestation period can range from 9 to 18 months, depending on the species. Females have one calf every 1-3 years. Calves can swim at birth. Twins are very rare and they will not survive due to the limited milk supply. The high fat content of the whale milk allows the calf to quickly build a thick, insulating layer of blubber.