Blue Whale

Blue whales are the largest creatures on Earth.

In the vast expanse of Earth’s oceans, the blue whale, scientifically known as Balaenoptera musculus, reigns supreme as a true marvel of the natural world. As the largest animals to ever grace our planet, these colossal creatures captivate the imagination and command the utmost respect. Stretching up to 100 feet in length and weighing as much as 200 tons, blue whales possess hearts the size of small cars and tongues that can weigh as much as an elephant—testaments to their sheer magnificence.

Renowned for their distinct mottled coloring and graceful movements, blue whales communicate through powerful low-frequency sounds, reaching up to 189 decibels. This vocal symphony serves various purposes, from navigation to potential courtship displays. Their communication patterns, akin to signatures or dialects, add an intriguing layer to the mystery of these oceanic giants.

In this fact sheet, we explore the fascinating world of the Northern blue whale, uncovering insights into their behaviors, communication, feeding habits, migration patterns, reproduction, and the critical conservation challenges they face in our ever-evolving oceans.

Quick facts

Length

Male: 26m

Female: 27m

Calf: 7m

Weight

Male: 70-135 tons

Female: 80-150 tons

Calves: 2-3 tons

Habits

Dive Time

15-36 min

Dive Depth

330m

Reproduction

Up to 110 years

Life Span:

10-12mth

Gestation period:

Dive Sequence

@Georgina Cabayol

Behavior & Feeding

Communication +

Blue whales are some of the loudest animals on earth with up to 189 decibels! Their low-frequency sounds range between 11 – 100 Hz and may travel very far distances underwater. Blue whales may be able to hear each other within several thousands of kilometers in the same ocean basin if conditions are good.
The vocalization behavior of blue whales can be classified as single-pulsed tones, called calls. Several of these calls in sequences of recognizable patterns can make up a song. All of these vocalizations can be related to different behaviors, from navigation over attraction and aggression to possibly feeding. However, strikingly there have been studies proving that both sexes produce calls, but only males use songs. Calls and songs from individuals of the same population show almost no variation, working like a signature or dialect, whereas other populations show strong differences in their vocalizations.

Foraging / Diet +

Blue whales all over the world mostly feed on krill, which means very tiny crustaceans floating in the upper water columns. They also feed on some other crustaceans, like copepods, mysids, and amphipods. Sometimes blue whales have been seen to occasionally prey on schools of small fish.
Unlike most of the other baleen whales, blue whales do not have a winter break in their feeding cycle, but prey on krill all year round. When feeding on a krill cloud, they dive below the prey and lunge-feed by engulfing the prey during their ascent. The water can be pushed through the baleen plates easily within a few seconds afterward. An adult on average feeds 4 t of krill every day.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/blue-whale

Distribution & Movements

There are in total five known subspecies of blue whales around the globe. Most of them were hunted to the brink of extinction before laws prohibited the hunts and populations could thrive again. Here, we will focus on the Northern blue whale, which passes by the Azores mainly in springtime.

The range of the blue whale stretches from far North to Antarctica, though distribution is patchy and abundance generally higher in colder waters. Most of the blue whale populations are migratory, meaning that they move between warmer breeding areas and colder feeding waters. However, breeding and feeding areas for blue whales are not completely separated and therefore, not as well-known and –defined as for most other baleen whales. The species of the blue whale is divided into 5 subspecies:

Northern blue whale
Antarctic blue whale
Northern Indian Ocean blue whale
Pygmy blue whale
Chilean blue whale

Here in the Azores, we can observe exclusively the Northern blue whales on their migration route from Southern latitudes to Northern ones in springtime. These individuals are part of the North-east Atlantic population, which may travel wide distances. For example, there has been one individual identified in Mauretania, Iceland, and the Azores.

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

8 – 10 years of age
Factors such as environmental conditions, available food resources, and overall health can influence the age at which a blue whale may become reproductively active.

Gestation period

10 – 12 months
The mother’s ability to navigate and locate optimal feeding grounds becomes crucial, as it directly influences the health and development of the growing fetus.

Number of calves

One calf every 2 – 3 years
The infrequent calving pattern allows mothers to dedicate substantial time and resources to ensure the survival and well-being of each offspring.

Suckling period

6 – 8 months
The extended suckling period not only ensures the physical development of the calf but also allows for the transmission of learned behaviors, contributing to the cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

Lifespan

Up to 110 years
The extended lifespan contributes to the accumulation of knowledge and experiences within the species, shaping their responses to environmental changes.

Mating strategy

Little known, mostly in autumn; female’s choice. The seasonal aspect of mating aligns with environmental cues, suggesting a synchronization with optimal conditions for reproductive success.

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm whales hold the title of largest predator on Earth eating mostly giant squids from the deep oceans.

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

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False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whales are elusive denizens of the North Atlantic, recognized by their slender beaks and distinctive forehead bulges.

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

View profile

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

View profile

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

View profile

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

View profile

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

View profile

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

View profile

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

View profile

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

View profile

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

View profile

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

View profile

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

View profile

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

View profile

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

View profile

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

View profile

Whale Watching in Ponta Delgada

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Van Tour to Furnas

Jeep Tour Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo

Kayak Rental in Sete Cidades (double)

Bike Rental in Sete Cidades

Whale Watching in Lajes do Pico

Pico Island Van Tour

Hiking Unesco Heritage

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest creatures on Earth.

Quick facts

Length

Weight

Habits

Reproduction

Reproduction

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Endangered <img width="21" height="26" class="graphics-design-i" src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tooltip-more-info-futurismo.svg"> High risk of extinction. Critical conservation required.

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Dive Sequence

Behavior & Feeding

Predators

Distribution & Movements

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual maturity

Gestation period

Number of calves

Suckling period

Lifespan

Mating strategy

Species in the Azores

Sighting frequency

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Species

Departure Points

Dates

Related Scientific Articles

González García, L. et al (2018): Multi-scale habitat preference analyses for Azorean blue whales

González, L. et al (2013): Temporal distribution and photographic identification of blue whales off São Miguel

González, L. et al (2019): Temporal Distribution and Multi-scale Habitat Preference Analyses for Azorean Blue Whales

González, L. et al (2016): Understanding Blue Whales off Azores: Assessing Habitat Preferences and Temporal Distribution

Valente, R. et al (2019): Baleen whales in Macaronesia: occurrence patterns revealed through a bibliographic review

Valente, R. et al (2019): When and Where? Unravelling Distribution Patterns of Baleen Whales through a Bibliographic Review

Correia, A. M. et al (2016): Blue and Humpback Whales: Unravelling Migratory Routes through a Spatio-Temporal Analysis in Macaronesia

Ojeda, V. et al. (2019): Baleen Whale Faeces in the Azores: Insights from Whale-Watching Platforms

Borba, M. (2013): Analysis of the spatial intelligence of the presence of mysticetes with oceanic fronts

González, L. (2018): Spatio-temporal distribution of the order Cetacea in the Azores: relationship between biotic and abiotic variables

Related Blog Posts & News

How long can a blue whale hold its breath?

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Endangered

High risk of extinction. Critical conservation required.