Species › Mammals › Omura's Whale

Omura's Whale

Balaenoptera omurai

Very rareMammal
Illustration of Omura's Whale (Balaenoptera omurai)

Omura's Whale was only formally described as a distinct species in 2003, making it one of the most recently discovered large whales. It is similar in size to the minke whale but has asymmetric coloration resembling a fin whale. It was previously known only from Japanese whaling specimens, but living sightings near Madagascar have revealed aspects of its behavior. Its range may extend into tropical North Pacific waters.

Habitat
Shallow tropical and subtropical coastal and offshore oceanic waters
Diet
Krill and small schooling fish
How common
Very rare

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