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BLUE WHALE

Balaenoptera musculus

THE REMARKABLE BLUE WHALE OF MONTEREY BAY

There are around 2,000 blue whales off the coast of California with 10,000 estimated worldwide. The Blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth, reaching lenghts up to 100 feet. They feed only on krill and are found in Monterey Bay from June through October during times of high krill abundance. The population off California appears to be the largest and healthiest population of Blues in the world.


Diet

Krill

Population Status | Monterey

Federally Endangered

Legal Protection

Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Protected Area Act, Endangered Species Act

Threats

Human Related Loss (Habitat Loss, Ocean Noise, Hunting, Food Source Loss, Climate Change, Disturbance, Entanglement, Harassment, Oil Spills, Pollution, Boat Strikes, Collisions)

Size

98ft

Weight

400,000 lb



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