

About Etch-a-Sketch
Year of Birth: 1988
Gender: Female
First Year Seen: 1988
Etch-a-Sketch -- often referred to as EAS or Etch -- is a favorite of many New England whale watchers. She is named for black markings on her fluke, which resemble the lines one might make while playing with an Etch-a-Sketch toy. In 2016 she had a new calf with her when she returned to Stellwagen Bank.
Etch-a-Sketch is most well known for her unique style of feeding. Her technique is a variation on kick-feeding: Etch-A-Sketch will lift her tail high out of the water and then slap it at the surface three times before diving and blowing a bubble cloud. She always does this in exactly the same way, making it possible to identify Etch from a great distance by her feeding style alone!
Exactly how this “kick-feeding” that Etch-a-Sketch and many other humpbacks engage in helps them feed in not fully known, but it likely involves using the tail slaps to stun, frighten, and/or disorient the fish, making it easier for the whale to capture more fish in each mouthful -- thus increasing feeding efficiency.
Package Details
- Official Digital Whale Adoption Certificate (allow a day for digital certificate to arrive)
- Voyage of the Odyssey – Acoustic Adventures Digital Download
- Subscription to Whales Tales e-newsletter
- Two digital (wallpaper) Whale Images
- If you would like a physical certificate with your online adoption, there is an extra $5 charge.
- Official Digital Whale Adoption Certificate (allow a day for digital certificate to arrive)
- Voyage of the Odyssey – Acoustic Adventures Digital Download
- Subscription to Whales Tales e-newsletter
- Two digital (wallpaper) Whale Images
- Ocean Alliance Logo 3” diameter sticker
- 8x10 Whale Photograph Signed by Dr. Iain Kerr (Unframed)
- IMAX Whales DVD
- Official SnotBot Sticker
- Ella's Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef Illustrated Children's Book
- Official Digital Whale Adoption Certificate (allow a day for digital certificate to arrive)
- Voyage of the Odyssey – Acoustic Adventures Digital Download
- Subscription to Whales Tales e-newsletter
- Two digital (wallpaper) Whale Images
- Ocean Alliance Logo 3” diameter sticker
- 8x10 Whale Photograph Signed by Dr. Iain Kerr (Unframed)
- IMAX Whales DVD
- 10 Basic Adoption Packages for Employees
- Songs Of the Humpback Whale Original Vinyl Record Album, Signed by Dr. Roger Payne
- Ella's Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef Illustrated Children's Book
- Voyage of the Odyssey Global Report
- Corporate Thank You Letter