Bryde's Whale
Balaenoptera edeni
IUCN: Least ConcernAbout Bryde's Whale
Bryde's whales are tropical and subtropical baleen whales that prefer warm waters above 61°F. They are distinguished by three parallel ridges on their rostrum, unlike other rorquals which have only one.
Bryde's whales (pronounced 'BROO-dess') are medium-sized baleen whales that can grow up to 50 feet long. They are the only baleen whales that do not migrate to polar feeding grounds, instead remaining in warm waters year-round. Recent genetic studies have identified multiple species within what was previously considered a single species.
🌊 Habitat
Bryde's whales inhabit tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide, generally between 40°N and 40°S latitude. They prefer water temperatures above 16°C (61°F) and are found in both coastal and pelagic environments. Unlike most baleen whales, they do not undertake long seasonal migrations.
🦐 Diet & Feeding
Bryde's whales feed on schooling fish (anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring), krill, and other crustaceans. They use a variety of feeding techniques including lunge feeding, bubble nets, and surface skimming. They are opportunistic feeders that consume up to 1,500 pounds of food daily.
🐋 Behavior
Bryde's whales are generally solitary or found in pairs, though they may form loose aggregations at productive feeding areas. They have unpredictable surfacing behavior, often changing direction while underwater. They can dive for 5-15 minutes and occasionally breach, leaping entirely out of the water.
👶 Reproduction
Female Bryde's whales give birth to a single calf after a gestation of about 12 months. Calves are approximately 11-13 feet at birth and nurse for about 6-12 months. Breeding can occur year-round in tropical populations.
🛡️ Conservation Status
Bryde's whales are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of 90,000-100,000. However, the recently described Rice's whale (Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale) is critically endangered with fewer than 100 individuals remaining.
Fun Facts About Bryde's Whale
Bryde's whales have three ridges on their rostrum, unique among baleen whales
They are named after Johan Bryde, a Norwegian consul who helped build the first whaling station in South Africa
Unlike most baleen whales, Bryde's whales do not migrate to polar waters
The Rice's whale, a closely related species in the Gulf of Mexico, has fewer than 100 individuals
Bryde's whales can reach speeds of up to 15 mph when pursued