BLUE WHALE

 BLUE WHALE

Local name : Magarmachchh 

Physical measurements & life cycle : 

Length : Adult-20-25 m.  Length of young one at the time of birth 7 m. 

Weight : 80-90 tons 

Maturity : 8-10 years 

Gestation : 10-11 months 

Litter size : 1 

Life span : 60-80 years 

Breeding : Once in every 2-3 years. 

Description

The Blue whale has hairless, streamlined and grayish blue body with pale whitish under- surface of flippers. Its head is longer than other whales. Length of the flippers is about 1/7th of the body length. There are 80-100 ventral grooves and jet-black baleen plates.

  Food 

Carnivorous. Blue whale feeds on prawns, crustacean etc. 

Distribution 

It occurs in the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay), the Gulf of Kachchh and other marine areas of the state. 

Habitat 

An inhabitant of the open sea.

Behaviour 

This is a mammal of the deep sea. It is a long distance migrant. Usually two or more individuals move together. 

Signs of presence 

Jet black baleen plates are characteristics of this species. 

Unlike Sperm whale, Blue whale is a baleen whale. In the baleen whales, teeth (like those in Sperm whale) are replaced by 'baleen plates' that have scores of spine-like structures. With the help of baleen plates that endow such structures, the Blue whale strains out water after the intake of water that is full of planktonic food. Thus, it does not prey upon ather creatures in true sense. Rather, it feeds on crustaceans and small fish using 'filter-feeding' technique. Blue whales move in a school of two or more individuals. At birth, the young one of Blue whale is 7 m (23 ft) in length and about 2.5-3tons in weight. Blue whale is hunted severely and therefore its population has declined drastically.