The Omura Whale is one of the smallest members of the rorqual whales about which very little is known.
At first it was thought to be a smaller “dwarf” or “pygmy” form of Bryde’s Whale or possibly a dwarf Fin Whale due to their similar patterns of makings. Of the rorqual whales only the Minke’s are smaller.
Today with further genetic work the Omura’s whale have been confirmed as a valid species. It has also been found that they are an early offshoot from the rorqual lineage, diverging much earlier than Bryde’s and Sei whales. They maybe in fact be more closely related to their much larger relative, the Blue whale.
Common Name: Omura Whale
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Scientific Name: Balaenoptera omurai
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Length: New-born calf approx 3 metres, Adults 8 to 12 metres
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Field Identification
– Dark grey in colour with dark grey, light grey and white markings.
– Dark grey on left jaw and throat.
– Left peck fin is white, right is dark grey.
– Single single prominent median ridge on their rostrum.
– A very falcate dorsal fin.
References/Sources
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises by Mark Carwardine
Whales, Dolphins & Seals: A Field Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World by Hadoram Shirihai and Brett Jarrett
Copyright 2020 David Jenkins – Whale Spotter