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The Bryde's whale
Balaenoptera edeni
​General description
The Bryde's whale is a large cetacean with a slender silhouette. Its coloration varies from dark gray to black on the dorsal side, with a white ventral side marked with a few pink spots. Its head, flat and V-shaped, is characterized by three distinct crests extending from the snout to the blowholes. It has a falcate dorsal fin, raised abruptly towards the rear, as well as small, narrow and pointed pectoral fins. Its belly is covered with 50 to 70 ventral furrows, and the underside of its caudal fin is creamy white. There are two subspecies of Bryde's whale : Balaenoptera edeni edeni, which is more coastal and found mainly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and Balaenoptera edeni brydei, which is more commonly observed in the open sea, in the Atlantic Ocean and tropical coastal waters. These two subspecies differ mainly in their geographical distribution and some morphological characteristics, notably the size and shape of the dorsal fin.
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Habitat
A cosmopolitan species of warm waters, the tropical rorqual frequents the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It can evolve as well in coastal areas as in the open sea, depending on the distribution of its prey.
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Diet
Mainly ichthyophagous, it feeds on schools of fish such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel and herring. Depending on the region, it can also consume squid, krill or pelagic crabs. It generally hunts near the surface, but can dive to depths of 300 meters and hold its breath for 20 minutes.
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Behavior
Not very migratory, the tropical rorqual is generally solitary, although temporary groups of 15 to 20 individuals can form during feeding periods. Its blow, which can reach 3 to 4 meters in height, is often followed by the appearance of its dorsal fin. Unlike other rorquals, the tropical rorqual rarely raises its caudal fin before diving. It usually swims at a speed of 2 to 7 km/h, but can reach 20 to 25 km/h in the case of fast swimming. It is capable of diving to depths of 300 meters. Bryde's whales are also known to breach more frequently than other balaenopterids.
Family : Balaenopteridae​​
Height (m)​​
Weight (tons)
Lifespan (years)
Sexual Maturity
(years)
Gestation
(month)
12 - 14.5
(brydei)
9 - 11
(edeni)
16 - 25
(brydei)
12 - 17
(edeni)
40 - 50
6 - 11
12.5 - 15
(brydei)
10 - 11.5
(edeni)
16 - 25
(brydei)
12 - 17
(edeni)
40 - 50
6 - 11
11 - 12
Global distribution of Bryde's whale, adapted from Würsig, B., Kato, Hidehiro. (2018). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals || Bryde’s Whale. , 143–145. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00079-0
Observations in the Lesser Antilles (CCS)
Main threats
Bryde's whales face several significant threats. One of the main threats is collision with ships, particularly in navigation areas where these cetaceans operate, which can lead to serious injuries or even death. Additionally, noise pollution generated by human activities, such as maritime traffic, disrupts their communication and echolocation, which are essential for their social behavior and foraging. Chemical pollution, including heavy metals, as well as the ingestion of plastics, directly affects their health and ability to reproduce. Furthermore, the reduction in food resources, due to the overexploitation of fish stocks and the impact of climate change on the availability of their prey, constitutes a growing threat to their food supply.
Least Concern
IUCN Status :
References
- Sylvestre, Jean-Pierre. 2014. Cetaceans of the World Systematics, Ethology, Biology, Ecology, Status. Practical Guide. Quae Publishing.
- Kato, Hidehiro. (2018). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals: Bryde’s Whale. , 143–145. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804327-1.00079-0
- NOAA Fisheries
- International Whaling Commision