A Unique American Whale

 

Common name- Rice's Whale

Scientific name- Balaenoptera ricei

Diet- Unknown 

Weight- 30 tonnes(approx)

Height-12-15m long

Lifespan- 60 yrs (expected)

Habitat- north-eastern Gulf of Mexico

Rice's Whale is also known as Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale.This species is named by Dale rice ,the first researcher of this whale . They are the only resident baleen whale known from the Gulf of Mexico.

This species was firstly noticed in 1990s. In 2014, some genetic study found about this whale, and in Jan 2019 ,a dead whale was found on the beach in the Florida Everglades that helps the scientists to study on this species. Little is known about ecology of Rice's Whale,but closely related this species reach sexual maturity at 9yrs old and can live about 60yrs.

Now, this whale  will gain additional protections under the Marine Mammal Protection, because their population estimated at fewer than 100 on the planet.The bigggest threats to the species includes vessel strikes,ocean noise, energy exploration,oil spills, development and production etc.