Humpback whale. Computer illustration of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). It is also known as the singing whale due its elaborate vocalisations. They can weigh up to 26 tonnes and measure up to 15 metres in length. The humpback whale's teeth are large plates that hang down from the whale's jaws. Humpback whales have up to 360 of these plates which are frayed into bristles. The whale will swallow tons of sea water and then press its tongue against the bristles. This will push out the water and trap the whale's prey (plankton) in the bristles of the plates. Humpback whales are found worldwide.