Rorquals (/ ˈrɔːrkwəlz /) are the largest group of baleen whales, comprising the family Balaenopteridae, which contains nine extant species in two genera.

Mar 26, 2025 · Females give birth to a single calf, which is weaned in around 6 to 12 months. Predators. Although they themselves are predators, rorquals are frequently attacked by killer whales. Adaptations. These whales possess a tiny sensory organ at the mandibular symphysis (joining), which comprises a bundle of mechanoreceptors.

The newborn calf is only about 8.5 ft (2.6 m) long and stays with its mother for about two years. In the Pacific, females are thought to give birth to one calf at a time once every one to two years. Females become sexually mature at ages six to eight and males at five to eight years.

A female rorqual is pregnant for about a year, depending on the species, before she gives birth to a single calf. When the calf is born, it measures between 9 and 23 feet (2.7 and 7 meters) long. The young nurse, feed on their mother's milk, for about a year and grow rapidly.

Balaenoptera, commonly known as rorquals, is a captivating genus of baleen whales that embody the grandeur of life in the ocean. These magnificent creatures are known for their impressive size and are among the largest animals on the planet.

Indeed, the weight the calf gains in the first six months of life is at a rate greater than three kilograms per hour! Whalers often located their quarry by the blow, or spout, and skilled observers can recognise the species from its spout.

Gestation in rorquals lasts 11–12 months, so that both mating and birthing occur at the same time of year. Cows give birth to a single calf, which is weaned after 6–12 months, depending on species.[3] Of some species, adults live in small groups, or "pods" of two to five individuals.

rorqual, (genus Balaenoptera), any of five particular species of baleen whales —specifically the blue whale, fin whale, sei whale, Bryde’s whale, and minke whale.

Gestation: 10-12 months, single calf. Longevity : From 45 years in minkes up to 100 or more in the bigger species. Diet : Krill, copepods, and fish in varying proportions.

Balaenopteridae (Rorquals) is a family of mammals. They rely on lift powered swimming to move around. EOL has data for 31 attributes, including: Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of rorquals. View this species on GBIF. rorquals includes 2 children: