The Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), or lesser rorqual, is a baleen whale species complex that includes the common (northern) minke whale and the Antarctic (southern) minke whale. Described by Danish naturalist Otto Fabricius in 1780, its name comes from Norwegian “minkehval,” possibly after a whaler named Meincke who confused it with a blue whale.
As the second smallest baleen whale, minke whales reach sexual maturity at 7–8 years, with males averaging 8.35 m (27.4 ft) and females 8.9 m (29 ft) in length. Females can grow over 10 m (33 ft) and 10–12 t (9.8–11.8 long tons) in weight. They have a characteristic black/gray body with a white band on each flipper.
Typically living 30–50 years, minke whales have a gestation period of about 10–11 months. Their digestive system relies on anaerobic bacteria for nutrient extraction. Although their auditory system is not fully understood, they have specialized fat deposits in their jaws for sound reception. Minke whales possess approximately 12.8 billion neocortical neurons and can swim at speeds of 20 knots (23 mph).
Minke whales breathe three to five times before deep-diving for 2 to 20 minutes, with dives preceded by an arching of the back. Their maximum speed is about 37 km/h (23 mph).
Both species migrate seasonally to the poles in spring and to warmer tropics in fall and winter, likely to avoid mixing. A study in British Columbia showed some individuals travel up to 424 km north in spring and 398 km south in autumn. Many migration details remain unclear.
Minke whales have a gestation period of ten months, with calves measuring 2.4 to 2.8 m (7.9 to 9.2 ft) at birth and nursing for five to ten months. Breeding peaks in summer, occurring every two years.
In the North Atlantic, conception occurs December to May (peak in February) with births from October to March (peak in December). The North Pacific sees two conception phases, mainly from February to March and August to September, with births from December to January and June to July. In the Southern Hemisphere, conception happens June to December (peak in August and September) and births peak in July to August.
