Whales - Species | Pygmy Brydes Whale

Pygmy Bryde’s Whale - Balaenoptera edeni

The Pygmy Bryde’s Whale, named after the man who established South Africa’s first whaling stations (Johan Bryde), is one of the more unusual species of whales. At the same time, it is also one of the least researched and known about whales of the rorquals species (whales with a dorsal fin and long throat grooves on the lower side of their bodies). Even the regular Bryde’s Whale weighs a maximum of about 25 tons; the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale is significantly small as far as whales go and females are typically slightly larger than males.

These fascinating creatures have made their home in the waters of the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Oceans. As a species, they prefer the more temperate waters and are usually coastal-bound, rather than pelagic. Their broad heads are short with fairly large eyes. Ventral grooves are situated on the head, and usually vary between 40 and 70. In addition, the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale is distinctive by the 3 ridges that run lengthways along the head, extending from the snout to the blowhole. Ridges on the neck and chest are designed specifically to allow the mouth to expand when large quantities of water are taken in.

The colour of the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale’s back ranges from being charcoal to black to dark blue. The ventral area is off-white and the underside boasts shading from this off-white colour to a grey/purple colour.

The Pygmy Bryde’s Whale has two blowholes, featuring a low splashguard to the front. The dorsal fin is pointed and has a prominent curve, distinctive to whale-watchers as it breaks the surface of the waters. Small flippers flank the slim, streamlined body, while the wide tail flukes never make it appearance above the water’s surface.

As a species, the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale feasts mainly on fish, despite the fact that they still have two plates of whalebone that characteristically enable other baleen whales to sieve small animals out of he water they take in. These plates are made of keratin, which frays into fine hair-like tassels on the ends and inside the mouth, next to the tongue. The Pygmy Bryde’s Whale favours a diet of anchovies and herring.

The gestation period of the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale lasts approximately 1 year, and they breed all year round. These creatures prefer to move through the waters unaccompanied, but may occasionally travel in a small group of 2 or 3 at a time.

The Pygmy Bryde’s Whale is recognised by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Natural Resources) as being Data Deficient and international trade of its meat, oil and bone is prohibited. However, owing to its relative lack of body fat, the Pygmy Bryde’s Whale was not a valuable commodity to hunters. During the 1950’s, Bryde’s Whales experienced some threat by hunters, and the majority of the victims were slaughtered during the 1970’s. They are now a protected species.