……objective science for conservation…….

The Pacific WildLife Foundation is a non-profit coastal and marine research and education society  that inspires an appreciation for objective scientific research and conservation of the ocean. We conduct original research, develop novel education programs, and inspire an appreciation for conservation of the ocean. 

Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale Behaviour

Minke Whale Foraging Behaviour

Minke whales generally occur alone and occasionally in twos or threes. In the North Pacific, Minke whales eat euphasiids, copepods, sand lance, and herring (Wilson and Duff 1999). They filter feed using their baleen. Minke whales are fast swimmers likely as a response to their highly mobile fish prey. The rorquals such as the Minke, blue and fin whale have expandable pleats along its throat that allows them to gulp huge quantities of water and prey. The tongue and muscles of the throat force water out through the baleen plates but hold the prey.  Minke whales feed by surfacing at an angle to the water surface with the mouth open, known as lunge feeding, gulping small fish driven into school by seabirds or by engulfing prey over a wide area (Lynas and Sylvestre 1988, Hoelzel et al. 1989). 

Minke Whale Locomotion

Minke whales surface once or twice to breathe while traveling and the blows are indistinct. They are highly maneuverable compared to other baleen whales and they will lunge from the water. This speed likely is required to catch its highly mobile small fish prey.

Minke Whale Breeding Behaviour

Female Minke whales become sexually mature ate 6-7 years of age and over 80% of all females give birth each year (Wilson and Duff 1999). This high propensity for reproduction is why this species is one of the world’s most abundant whales. Conception is at peak frequency in February and March in the north Pacific and calves are born 10 months later in December and January (Boyd et la. 1999). Calves are about 2.4-2.8 meters long at birth and mothers nurse them for about 4-6 months. Single calves are the norm but Siamese twins have been recorded (Ivashin and Zinchenko 1982). Calves are weaned when they are possibly 4.6 meters long (Boyd et al. 1999).  

Minke Whale Vocalizations

Minke whales utter low frequency grunts and high frequency ‘pings’ that are thought to be used to communicate but its is generally a very vocal whale (Wilson and Duff 1999).