The biggest animal on earth – The Blue Whale
The Blue whale is the biggest animal that have ever existed on our planet, including the dinosaurs!
The largest recorded Blue measured more than 100feet (30m) in length and probably weighed about 200tons (180000kg). These majestic marine mammals were hunted to near extinction before being protected by the International community in 1966. In spite of the damage done to their population, Blue Whales are making a fantastic comeback.
Although their sightings are fewer due to their shorter surface intervals and smaller population, these whales stream up into the heart of the Sea of Cortez in search of warmer waters, and honor us with their annual visit to the coast of Baja California.
If you’re eager to witness whales in their natural habitat, join us and explore our captivating whale watching tours in San Jose del Cabo • Los Cabos • Mexico • B.C.S
Appearance
Blue Whales are the largest animals on Earth, with a record length of 33 meters and weight around 190 tons. They are known for their streamlined bodies, blue-gray skin, U-shaped heads, and large blowholes. Their dorsal fin is small and set far back, and they have a uniform gray triangular rear fluke. With flippers measuring 3-4 meters (10-13ft) and 80 to 100 throat grooves, they efficiently filter food using up to 800 plates of short, wide, black baleen.
Population and Migration
The Blue whale habitat ranges from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean, which basically means that it can be found in all the oceans of the world. These marine mammals prefer the cold and temperate water of the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, preferring deeper parts of the ocean to shallower coastal waters. Despite nearly being driven to extinction as mentioned above, due to valiant efforts from conservationists the estimated worldwide population is at approximately 8000 to 12000 individuals, however their species still remains endangered.
- Ballena Azul
- Male: 29m
- Female: 33m
- Calf: 7m
- Male: 150,000kg
- Female: 180,000kg
- Calf: 2,700kg
- Various species of krill
Behaviors
Their streamlined sleek bodies make this whale one of the fastest whales of the Ocean, these graceful swimmers can cruise at more than five miles an hour and accelerate to more than 20 miles an hour. As they can reach such high speeds they have been seen to attempt half breaches and head slaps.
Their lung capacity is so big, Blues can stay underneath the water for over one hour before resurfacing for another breath of air and their surface intervals are longer than other baleen whales.
Social Behaviour
Very little is know about the social structure of the Blue Whale, due to the fact that like all mysticetes (large whales that feed using a filter mechanism) they tend to travel alone or in small short-lived groups. They communicate by emitting a series of low-frequency pulses, groans, and moans, that can travel hundreds of miles through deep water.
Mating Ritual
Blues whales reach sexual maturity between the age of 5 and 10 and have a single calf every two to three years. Although little is known about their mating behavior, it is believed that Blues whales undergo an elaborate and complex mating ritual. After traveling thousands of miles to the breeding ground in warmer water, the male and female spend several days rolling around each other. Following this, they take a deep dive into the ocean, where they continue communicating. Females will give birth to a single calf that can weigh as much as 3 tons, with the mother nursing the newborn for about eight months before separating.
Diet
Ironically, the biggest animal to have ever existed has a diet composed of the smallest animals that inhabit the Ocean. Blues feed almost exclusively on krill, plankton and have occasionally been reported taking tiny schooling fish. Blues have a unique ability to expand the grooves that run from head to navel, creating a balloon-like effect. This maximizes the amount of food they can take in with one gulp. They feed by lunging into schools of prey with their mouth wide open, taking in both food and water, before closing their mouths and pressing their tongue against their baleen plates, effectively separating the water from their prey.
