Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 147 views

    Blue Whale A4 Fact Sheet

    Uploaded by

    Acher
    The document provides information about two types of blue whales: the true blue whale and the pygmy blue whale. It details their physical characteristics like size, weight, newborn size, threats they face, and habitat. Facts about blue whales in general are also given.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Blue Whale A4 Fact Sheet

    Uploaded by

    Acher
    147 views1 page
    The document provides information about two types of blue whales: the true blue whale and the pygmy blue whale. It details their physical characteristics like size, weight, newborn size, threats they face, and habitat. Facts about blue whales in general are also given.

    Original Title

    Blue-whale-A4-fact-sheet

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document provides information about two types of blue whales: the true blue whale and the pygmy blue whale. It details their physical characteristics like size, weight, newborn size, threats they face, and habitat. Facts about blue whales in general are also given.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    147 views1 page

    Blue Whale A4 Fact Sheet

    Uploaded by

    Acher
    The document provides information about two types of blue whales: the true blue whale and the pygmy blue whale. It details their physical characteristics like size, weight, newborn size, threats they face, and habitat. Facts about blue whales in general are also given.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 1

    True Blue Whale Pygmy Blue Whale

    Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Adult length: 23-30m Adult length: maximum 25m
    Distribution: Worldwide (see map below and full list of countries in the detailed Adult weight: up to 180,000kg Adult weight: up to 180,000kg
    species account online at: https://wwhandbook.iwc.int/en/species/blue-whale)
    Newborn: 6-7m /2000 – 3000kg Newborn: 4.5-6m /900-1000kg

    Relatively small often stubby Threats: Habitat loss, ship strikes, climate change
    Light grey, mottled
    skin, that can appear dorsal fin positioned far along Habitat: Continental shelf, offshore
    Pronounced raised splash the back: ¾ or 4/5 of the way
    blue underwater and Diet: Krill, small schooling fish
    guard in front of blow toward the tail from the head.
    Broad, flattened head
    hole It can vary in shape.
    – ‘U’-shaped when seen
    from above Flukes are massive, IUCN Conservation status:
    slender and have smooth Blue Whale: Endangered
    trailing edges Antactic Blue Whale: Critically Endangered
    Pygmy Blue Whale: Data deficient

    Underside may be covered Very thick tail stock


    Head uniformly (light)
    Pale blue or grey with yellowish diatoms/
    grey/blue - not mot- 60-88 dark-coloured
    underside algae – especially in polar
    tled like body throat grooves Long, slender flippers – up
    regions
    to 1/7th of body length.
    The pointed tips may Individual blue whales can be recognised by the pattern of mottling on their flanks as well as
    have light edges. their tail flukes, through a process called photo-identification. (photos courtesy Paula Olson)

    Fun Facts Blue whales in almost every ocean basin feed pre-
    dominantly on small shrimp-like crustaceans called
    krill: Photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/
    wiki/File:Antarctic_krill_(Euphausia_superba).jpg

    A blue whale’s blow can be 10-12 m high, making


    Blue whales are the largest animal to have ever it visible from a long distance. This is a pygmy blue
    lived on the planet (bigger than dinosaurs!). whale off the coast of Australia: Photo courtesy of
    A blue whale calf can gain 90 kg per day Chris Johnson
    from drinking the mother’s rich milk.
    An adult blue whale’s heart is the size of a small
    car, and a child could crawl through its arteries.
    Blue whales are the only whale in
    the genus Balaenoptera that lifts
    its tail flukes regularly when diving.

    Blue whale surfacing


    Blue whale global distribution. Adapted by Nina Lisowski from Jefferson, T.A., Webber, M.A. and Pitman, R.L.
    (2015). “Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification,” 2nd ed. Elsevier, San
    Diego, CA. Copyright Elsevier: http://www.elsevier.com. com

    There are currently five recognised sub-species of blue whale that occur in dif-
    ferent parts of the world . B. m. musculus, Northern blue whale, B. m. intermedia,
    Antarctic blue whale, B. m. indica,  Northern Indian Ocean blue whale – these
    three are considered “True” blue whales. There are also B. m. brevicauda, Pygmy
    blue whale, and B. m. un-named subsp., Chilean blue whale.

    You might also like