Sei Whale
Scientific Name : Balaenoptera Borealis
- IUCN: Endangered
- Other names: Pollack Whale
- Swahili name: Nyangumi dagaa
- Length: 12-18m (females slightly larger than males)
- Weight: 20-40 tonnes
- Life expectancy: 60 years
- Abundance: Worldwide, in tropical to temperate cool waters
- Occurance: During Winter (August to October)
- Primary prey: Small crustaceans (shrimp)
- Conservation status: Estimated 30,000. Still a target for modern whaling.
- Quick key identification: Large whale, most specifically they do not arch when they dive. Dorsal fin is more erect and visual for longer than counterparts, sinking gradually when the whale dives.
- Dark grey in colour and light grey on throat and underside. Head has one ridge running along the top. Easily distinguished from the fin whale by having a uniform light grey on the lower jaw. Have 219-402 black baleen plates lined with very fine grey/white fringes. The baleens are short, wide and about 80cm long.
Usually in groups from one and up to 10. One of the fastest of cetaceans moving up to 50kmh over short distances. They follow the migrational pattern of other larger whales, eating and foraging in the higher latitudes as far down as Antartica then breeding in lower latitudes.
Where hunted heavily in Antartic during the 20th century. They estimate that more than 200,000 whales were hunted between the years 1905-1979. Since then the International Whaling Commission listed them as protected however, in Japan according to their “scientific whaling programme” of 2004, about 100 Sei whales are hunted “legally” under this programme.
Where hunted heavily in Antartic during the 20th century. They estimate that more than 200,000 whales were hunted between the years 1905-1979. Since then the International Whaling Commission listed them as protected however, in Japan according to their “scientific whaling programme” of 2004, about 100 Sei whales are hunted “legally” under this programme.
