Common Minke Whale or Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
The minke whales are the second smallest baleen whale; only the pygmy right whale is smaller. Upon reaching sexual maturity (7–8 years of age), males measure an average of 8.35 m (27.4 ft) and 7 t (6.9 long tons; 7.7 short tons) and females measure an average of 8.9 m (29 ft) and 8.25 t (8.12 long tons; 9.09 short tons) in length and body mass, respectively; estimated maximum size for females suggest that they can reach lengths exceeding 10 m (33 ft) and weigh more than 10–12 t (9.8–11.8 long tons; 11–13 short tons) in body mass.
The minke whale is a black/gray/purple colour. Common minke whales (Northern Hemisphere variety) are distinguished from other whales by a white band on each flipper. The body is usually black or dark-gray above and white underneath. Minke whales have between 240 and 360 baleen plates on each side of their mouths. Most of the length of the back, including dorsal fin and blowholes, appears at once when the whale surfaces to breathe.
Minke whales typically live between 30-50 years, but in some cases, they may live for up to 60 years. They have a gestation and calving period of approximately 10-11 months and 2 years, respectively.
Minke whales have a digestive system composed of four compartments with a high density of anaerobic bacteria throughout. The presence of the bacteria suggests minke whales rely on microbial digestion to extract nutrients provided by their food.
As with most Mysticetes, the auditory system for the minke whale is not well understood. However, magnetic resonance imaging points to evidence that the minke whale has fat deposits in their jaws intended for sound reception, much like Odontocetes.
The brains of minke whales have around 12.8 billion neocortical neurons and 98.2 billion neocortical glia. Additionally, despite its relatively large size, the minke whale is very fast, capable of swimming at speeds of 30 kn (35 mph), and their surfacing can be sporadic and hard to follow.
This image was taken from the Enchanted Princess as it sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to New York, USA
Common Minke Whale or Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
The minke whales are the second smallest baleen whale; only the pygmy right whale is smaller. Upon reaching sexual maturity (7–8 years of age), males measure an average of 8.35 m (27.4 ft) and 7 t (6.9 long tons; 7.7 short tons) and females measure an average of 8.9 m (29 ft) and 8.25 t (8.12 long tons; 9.09 short tons) in length and body mass, respectively; estimated maximum size for females suggest that they can reach lengths exceeding 10 m (33 ft) and weigh more than 10–12 t (9.8–11.8 long tons; 11–13 short tons) in body mass.
The minke whale is a black/gray/purple colour. Common minke whales (Northern Hemisphere variety) are distinguished from other whales by a white band on each flipper. The body is usually black or dark-gray above and white underneath. Minke whales have between 240 and 360 baleen plates on each side of their mouths. Most of the length of the back, including dorsal fin and blowholes, appears at once when the whale surfaces to breathe.
Minke whales typically live between 30-50 years, but in some cases, they may live for up to 60 years. They have a gestation and calving period of approximately 10-11 months and 2 years, respectively.
Minke whales have a digestive system composed of four compartments with a high density of anaerobic bacteria throughout. The presence of the bacteria suggests minke whales rely on microbial digestion to extract nutrients provided by their food.
As with most Mysticetes, the auditory system for the minke whale is not well understood. However, magnetic resonance imaging points to evidence that the minke whale has fat deposits in their jaws intended for sound reception, much like Odontocetes.
The brains of minke whales have around 12.8 billion neocortical neurons and 98.2 billion neocortical glia. Additionally, despite its relatively large size, the minke whale is very fast, capable of swimming at speeds of 30 kn (35 mph), and their surfacing can be sporadic and hard to follow.
This image was taken from the Enchanted Princess as it sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to New York, USA