Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Sei whale *(Balaenoptera borealis)*
Length	19 m
Weight	45 t
Blow	3 m
Breathing	5-20 min
Diving	not very deep
Diet	krill, plankton, small fish
Life span	at least 69 years
Status	endangered

Main Characteristics

The Sei Whale has a large, sleek body that is grey above and white or cream-coloured below. Oval scars often cover the body. A single longitudinal ridge forms a midline on top of the head. The flippers are relatively short and pointed, and the fluke comparably small. Together with the fin whales, they probably are the fastest swimmers of the large whales, capable of speeds up to 45 km/h.

Behaviour

Sei Whales, like most rorquals, live solitary or in small groups of 2 - 3 individuals. Occasionally, they form large aggregations of up to 100 individuals in good food spots. The Sei whale is calm at the surface, lifts neither fluke nor flippers and never jumps.

Whaling and Population Size

Sei Whales were hunted excessively during the mid 20th century, which caused the population to crash. Protected since the 1970's, the population size is estimated to be about 50.000 individuals worldwide.

To learn more about Sei Whales visit Wikipedia or the American Cetacean Society

News

26. February 2011

Entrance Fees for 2011

Entrance Fees 2011:

Adults: 1.250 ISK

Children (6-14 years): 500 ISK

Senior Citizens (from 65 years): 900 ISK

Groups (+10): Adults: 900 ISK, children: 400 ISK

22. December 2010

2010 - A Year of Renovation at the Whale Museum

In the spring the entrance was moved to a restored area in the eastern part of the museum which now hosts the tourist information centre for Húsavík, together with the museum´s store.

Humpback whale from Skjálfandi Bay photographed off Africa

It is still quite early in the season but the museum’s researchers have already been out on the whale watching boats several times to collect data and take pictures of whales that have been sighted during the trips.

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