Sei Whale
Balaenoptera borealis
Sei Whale Behaviour
Sei Whale Foraging Behaviour
Sei whales
generally occur in small groups of 2 to 5 individuals and
occasionally appear in large herds to gorge on
euphasiids, copepods,
sand lance, and
herring (Wilson and Duff 1999). They filter feed using
their baleen by gulping food and skimming the surface. They
are found mostly along the continental shelf break (Weir et
al. 2002).
Sei Whale
Locomotion
Sei whales surface several times to breathe and
their blows are distinct. They remain under water for a brief
period of about 5 to 10 minutes. They are highly maneuverable
for large whales and are capable of swimming at over 20 knots
for short duration (Reeves et al. 2002).
Sei Whale Breeding Behaviour
Nothing is
known about where sei whales give birth or their breeding
system; it is assumed to occur in tropical waters. Calves are
born in the northern winter after a gestation of about a year
(Reeves et al. 2002). Birthing intervals are about 2 or 3
years.
Sei Whale
Vocalizations
Sei 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).
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