Bryde's Whale (Bodacious Dream Global Expedition)

Bryde's Whale

Balaenoptera brydei

Summary ³

Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is a large rorqual whale, one of the baleen whales. Like other rorquals, Bryde's whales have a streamlined torpedo shaped body which allows them to reach high swimming speeds. Unlike other rorquals, and indeed most baleen whales, Bryde's whales prefer warmer temperate and tropical waters. Little is known about Bryde's whales.

Length 40-50 feet (12-15 m)
Weight 24,000-40,000 lb (10,000-18,000 kg)

Bryde's whales appear very similar to the Sei whale, and indeed until the 1970s they were considered to be the same species. The major feature distinguishing Bryde's from Sei whales is the three ridges running from the blow hole to the edge of the rostrum, opposed to the Sei whale's single ridge.

Population and Conservation Status ³

The Global Population is Unknown

Due to the lack of information about this species, it has no official conservation status.

Threats ³

Bryde's Whale was not officially recognized as a separate species from the Sei Whale before the 1970s so it is difficult to make estimates of the number of Bryde's Whales which were captured. The Bryde's Whale prefers warmer and tropical waters unlike most of its rorqual cousins which may have meant this species escaped heavy hunting.

Today Bryde's Whales are targeted by Japan's scientific whaling operation. Otherwise these whales are most impacted by changes to the marine environment, pollution, and excess noise.

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Bryde's Whale

Summary 3

Population and Conservation Status 3

Threats 3