BLUE 



Fl N 



SEI 



BRYDE S 



,4 



Figure 8a. — Swimming, blowing, and diving characteristics of blue, fin, sei, and Bryde's whales. 



Baleen grayish or ash black with fine, light-gray bristles. 



Dorsal fin to 24 inches (61 cm), strongly falcate, well more than one- 

 third forward from tail; forms angle of more than 40° with 

 back. 



Distribution extensive; are not very common in cold waters and 

 may have a greater tendency than fin whales to enter tropi- 

 cal waters. 



Distribution more northerly in summer. 



Flukes not raised on dive. 



Body up to 46 feet (14 m) long. 



Body dark gray overall. 



Head has series of three ridges from area of blowhole to snout. 



Baleen slate gray with coarse dark bristles. 



Dorsal fin to 18 inches (45.7 cm), falcate, well more than one-third 



forward from tail, often irregularly worn on rear margin. 

 Distribution primarily tropical and southern temperate. 

 Flukes not raised on dive. 



Bryde's whale 



Balaenoptera edeni 

 p. 37 



11 



