Whales - Species | Common Minke Whale

Common Minke Whale - Balaenoptera acutorostrata

The Minke Whale, also called the Lesser Rorqual, is the name given to two species of marine mammals belonging to the suborder of the baleen whale. The Minke Whale has been catagorised into two species, namely the Common Minke Whale or Northern Minke Whale, as well as the Antarctic Minke Whale or Southern Minke Whale. The Common Minke Whale has two or three subspecies, the North Atlantic Minke Whale, the North Pacific Minke Whale and Dwarf Minke Whale. All Minke Whales form part of the rorqual group, a family that includes the Humpback Whale, the Fin Whale and Blue Whale.

The Minke Whale is the second smallest of all the baleen whales, males measuring an average of 6,9 meters and females 7.4 meters in length upon sexual maturity at age 6 – 8 years of age. Both sexes weigh approximately 4 – 5 tonnes at maturity, but their maximum weight can be as much as 14 tonnes. The Common Minke Whale is distinguished from the other species, by a white band on each flipper. Its body is usually black or dark-grey above and white underneath. Minke whales have a snout that is distinctively narrow and pointed, hence its nicknames ‘sharp-headed finner’ and ‘little piked whale’. Its maximum swimming speed has been measured at 20-30 kilometers per hour. This whale has been known to breathe 3 – 5 times at short intervals before deep diving for 2 – 20 minutes. When resting, they breathe about 5 – 6 times per minute. Their spout is a very low, almost inconspicuous stream that rises about 2 meters above the water, beginning to exhale before they have even reached the surface. Minke Whales make very loud sounds which are used in communication with other whales, as well as for echo-location.

Minke Whales breed mostly in the summer months, with calving taking place every two years. Gestation is 10 to 11 months with babies measuring 2,4 – 2,8 meters at birth and nursing for approximately 5 months.

The total population of the Minke Whales is found to be 103,000. Due to their relative abundance, these whales are often the focus of many whale-watching cruises. They are very inquisitive and will swim very closely to any vessels. Many enthusiasts have even called these whales ‘stinky Minkes’ as it is frequently possible to smell the breath of the nearby whale. Like all baleen whales, Minke Whales are carnivores, sieving their food through the ocean water, filtering out small plankton, krill and small fish. They enjoy chasing small schools of sardines, anchovies and cod.

The Minke Whales were for a long time the target of coastal whaling from countries such as Brazil, Canada, China, Greenland, Japan, Korea, Norway and South Africa. By the early 1970’s, following the over-hunting of larger whales such as the Fin and Blue Whales, the Minke’s attracted the attention of the whalers. Hunting continued until the moratorium was brought out in 1986.

Minke whales typically live for 30-50 years; but in some cases they may live for up to 60 years.