<P> Females typically breed every two or three years . The gestation period is 11.5 months . The peak months for birth are January , February ( northern hemisphere ) , July and August ( southern hemisphere ) . Females wait for one to two years before breeding again . Recent research on mitochondrial DNA reveals that groups living in proximity to each other may represent distinct breeding pools . Humpback whale births have been rarely observed . One birth witnessed off Madagascar occurred within four minutes . </P>
<P> Females typically breed every two or three years . The gestation period is 11.5 months . The peak months for birth are January , February ( northern hemisphere ) , July and August ( southern hemisphere ) . Females wait for one to two years before breeding again . Recent research on mitochondrial DNA reveals that groups living in proximity to each other may represent distinct breeding pools . Humpback whale births have been rarely observed . One birth witnessed off Madagascar occurred within four minutes . </P>
how long is the gestation period for humpback whales
how long is the gestation period for humpback whales
11.5 months
11.5 months