Bryde's Whale: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Giants of the Deep · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. In one South African whaling study, the longest Bryde's whale measured was a 15.51 m female, caught in 1962.
2. The oldest known Bryde's whale lived to 72 years.
3. A Bryde's whale pregnancy lasts about 12 months, and the calf weighs about 1,000 kg at birth.
4. Mothers then nurse their calves for 6 to 12 months. A newborn is 3.4 to 4 m long.
5. Off Japan, Bryde's whales eat mostly Japanese anchovy (52 %) and euphausiids (36 %).

The quiz

1. Where was the 15.51 m female Bryde's whale caught?

• Off South Africa (correct)
• Off Japan
• Off Panama
• Off Hawaii

The 15.51 m female was caught off South Africa in 1962.

2. How old was the oldest known Bryde's whale?

• 27 years
• 40 years
• 72 years (correct)
• 100 years

The oldest known individual lived to 72 years.

3. How long does a Bryde's whale mother carry her calf?

• 6 months
• 9 months
• 24 months
• 12 months (correct)

The gestation lasts 12 months.

4. How long do Bryde's whale mothers nurse their calves?

• 1-2 months
• 6-12 months (correct)
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 weeks

Mothers nurse their young for 6-12 months.

5. What is the main food of Bryde's whales off Japan?

• Japanese anchovy (correct)
• Squid
• Sardines
• Krill only

Japanese anchovy makes up 52 % of what they eat there.

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