Newfoundland and Labrador
Minke whales/Petit rorqual


Minke whale: 8 meters; 7 tons

A common inshore sight in Newfoundland bays, the solitary minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is the smallest baleen whale. The minke blow is low and often not noticeable. Be quick to look because it is a fast moving whale spending a few minutes cruising and diving near the surface before its terminal dive of 15 to 20 minutes. Differing from the humpback, it dives without showing its tail fin. Minke whales are black on top with a tall hooked dorsal fin and small side flippers that have a white patch on them. Their bellies are pure white. You can see them in harbors during summer and fall as they feed on caplin, herring and mackerel. They hang around fishermen's gear to catch fish that escape.

Petit rorqual (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Taille: 6 à 9 m, jusqu'à 10 m
Poids: 6 000 à 8 000 kg, jusqu'à 10 000 kg
Mode de vie: Solitaire, parfois en paire ou en groupe
Longévité: Peut-être 50 ans
Observations: Régulières de mars à décembre dans le golfe et l’estuaire.
Notes: Il s'alimente régulièrement près de la surface. On peut alors voir son ventre rosé. Il est abondant dans tous les océans malgré la chasse intensive dont il a été l'objet.

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