Sei whale

Sei whale
	Sei whale mother and calf
	Size compared to an average human
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
	; Endangered (ESA)
Scientific classification
Unrecognized taxon (fix):	Balaenopteridae
Genus:	Balaenoptera
Species:	B. borealis
Binomial name
	Balaenoptera borealis; Lesson, 1828
Subspecies
	B.b.borealis; B.b.schlegelii;
	Sei whale range
Synonyms
	Balaena rostrata Rudolphi, 1822; Balaenoptera laticeps Gray, 1846; Sibbaldius laticeps Flower, 1864; Physalus laticeps Flower, 1864; Rudolphius laticeps Gray, 1868;

The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) is a dark-gray, stream-lined baleen whale that is found worldwide except in polar waters. It swims in small pods of 3-5 whales but larger groups may form at rich feeding grounds. It has very fine grey-black baleen that traps very small particles of food. It is a rorqual whale (a large baleen whale) that is similar to the Bryde's whales.

Description

The Sei whale is also called the Sardine whale, the Pollack whale, the Coalfish whale, the Japan Finner, and Rudolphi's rorqual. Large numbers of these whales were hunted until recently for their oil and meat. It is the fastest of the great whales and can swim at about 23 mph (20 knots) in short bursts.

Diet

Sei whales are carnivores that filter-feed plankton (tiny crustaceans like krill, copepods, etc.) and small fish from the water.

Sei Whale Media

A sei whale showing distinctive upright dorsal fin
Baleen. I believe this to be in the Public Domain.
Balaenoptera borealis
Esqueleto de balaenoptera borealis o rorcual norteño, ubicado en el salón central del MNHN
Krill, shrimp-like marine invertebrate animals, are one of the sei whale's primary foods.
Beached sei whale carcass
A sei whale (foreground) caught off Finnmark.
Member states of the International Whaling Commission (in blue)