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blue whale

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The Blue Whale is the largest animal ever known to have existed. These marine mammals are distinguished by their enormous size and blue-gray coloration. They are predominantly baleen whales, feeding primarily on small shrimp-like animals called krill. Newfoundland and Labrador waters provide a habitat for these magnificent creatures, making the region a notable area for whale watching.

Play sound

Blue Whales vocalize for a variety of reasons, including singing songs to aid in mate selection. This whale song was recorded by Tangly Whales.

Scientific Name

Balaenoptera musculus

Conservation Status

The Blue Whale is listed as Endangered under both SARA and COSEWIC.

Size

Blue Whales can reach lengths up to 30 meters and weigh as much as 180 metric tons. Their immense size makes them the largest known animal species on Earth.

Habitat & Range

Blue Whales are found in all the world's oceans, preferring deep and cold waters.

Population

The population of Blue Whales in the Newfoundland and Labrador regions isn't clearly defined due to their vast range and migratory patterns. However, the region is part of their natural habitat, especially during feeding seasons.

Diet

Primarily, Blue Whales feed on krill, consuming tons of these tiny crustaceans each day during the feeding season, utilizing their baleen plates to filter feed.

THREATS

Blue Whales face several threats including ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, and changes in climate affecting the krill populations they feed on. The region’s cold waters can also pose risks in the form of ice entrapments.

CURRENT PROTECTIONS

There are ongoing efforts and regulations aimed at protecting Blue Whales in Canadian waters, including monitoring, research, and guidelines for marine traffic to minimize collisions and disturbances to these animals. Initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador, alongside federal protections, contribute to the conservation of this magnificent species.

The tragic event in 2014, where nine Blue Whales became trapped in ice off the Newfoundland coast, emphasizes the vulnerability of these creatures despite their immense size. This incident has led to increased research and conservation efforts to better understand and protect the Blue Whales in these waters​​​​.

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© Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter