Sei whale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sei whale |
|
---|---|
Sei whale mother and calf | |
Size compared to an average human | |
Conservation status | |
Endangered (ESA) |
|
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Balaenoptera
|
Species: |
borealis
|
Subspecies | |
|
|
Sei whale range | |
Synonyms | |
The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) is a dark-gray, stream-lined baleen whale that is found worldwide except in polar waters. It swims in small pods of 3-5 whales but larger groups may form at rich feeding grounds. It has very fine grey-black baleen that traps very small particles of food. It is a rorqual whale (a large baleen whale) that is similar to the Bryde's whales.
Contents
Description
The Sei whale is also called the Sardine whale, the Pollack whale, the Coalfish whale, the Japan Finner, and Rudolphi's rorqual. Large numbers of these whales were hunted until recently for their oil and meat. It is the fastest of the great whales and can swim at about 23 mph (20 knots) in short bursts.
Diet
Sei whales are carnivores that filter-feed plankton (tiny crustaceans like krill, copepods, etc.) and small fish from the water.
Images for kids
-
Krill, shrimp-like marine invertebrate animals, are one of the sei whale's primary foods.
-
Drawing of a sei whale on a Faroese stamp, issued 17 September 2001
See also
In Spanish: Rorcual norteño para niños