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Student Article

Humpback Whales: Giants of the Ocean and Their Amazing Behavior

Originally Published in  Discover Wildlife

Discover the fascinating world of humpback whales: from their massive size to their unique behaviors like breaching, bubble-netting, and migrating across vast oceans.

The article "Humpback Whales: Giants of the Ocean and Their Amazing Behavior" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains the extraordinary lives of humpback whales. These giant marine mammals, known for their acrobatic leaps and complex songs, migrate across oceans, exhibit cooperative feeding behaviors like bubble-netting, and communicate in ways that mystify scientists. Despite their size, they are gentle giants, and their populations have made a remarkable recovery since the whaling industry nearly decimated them.
Student Article Info

BBC's Discover Wildlife brings you closer to nature with expert advice, conservation news, the best nature writing and stunning wildlife photography. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
3-56-89-12
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Life Science
Keywords
humpback whalemigrationbubble-nettingacrobatic behaviorwhale communication
Underwater photo of a huge humpback whale swimming close to the water’s surface
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

1
Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 500-700L
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2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800-1000L
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3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000-1200L
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