Page 44 - Kids on the Cape - Current Issue

mammals for decades identifying and cataloging them as they return every year to feed with their offspring Naturalists generally use the the dorsal n n n n on the the whales back to identify individual humpbacks They also utilize the pigment pattern on the the the underside of the the the uke and other unique scars found on each whale whale Therefore many of the humpback whales that return yearly to Cape Cod have been named and often naturalists on board will be able to identify which whale you are seeing and might even be able to tell you a a a a a bit about the individual whale Bringing kids on on a a a a a whale watch can provide a a a a a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience for the whole family but it is important to to to know what to to to expect and to to to be prepared During the peak summer months we recommend making reserva- tions in advance as many of these trips sell out The largest obstacles in in whale watching with kids is the the duration of the the outing plus the the nature of traveling on the the open ocean It can be be helpful to spend some time online with your kids before the the the day of of the the the whale watch Go to the the the website of of your chosen whale watcher and check out their resources — many have interactive activities that can help your children prepare and get excited for the the trip Learn about the the animals you might see by watching videos reading books and researching on- line It can also be fun to to assemble a a a a a list of questions to to ask the the on-board naturalist as they are incredibly knowledgeable about the marine life of Cape Cod This is is also a a a a a a great time to go over boat safety rules although these will certainly be mentioned when you get on on the whale watch boat Four hours out on the open ocean can be physically draining The varying conditions of sun wind and fog can be exhausting and unpredictable Layering clothing is essential even if it is hot when you leave the the harbor the the conditions out on on on the water can can change signi cantly We also recommend wearing solid shoes with good traction Binoculars are a a a a a a great item to have when the whale viewing begins and you will likely want a a a a a a camera in in addition to the one one on on on your phone Bringing a a a well-stocked travel bag will pay off Include sunblock protective clothing and plenty of of water and and snacks for all Arriving well hydrated and and fed helps ensure a a a a positive experience although there are also light fare and beverages for for sale on on the vessel Also don’t forget to bring activities for kids — — especially younger children — — to keep them entertained during the the the down time of the the the trip A whale watch is an incredible way to observe the rich marine life that surrounds the Cape providing a a a a a chance for kids to learn more about marine animals and the efforts
of naturalist organizations to understand and and protect the various species Whale watching is a a a a a must for every Cape Cod vacation and and adults and and kids alike will remember it as a highlight Page 44 • Kids on the Cape August 3 - September 6 2018