Antarctic minke whale

How it lives

In the Antarctic, these minke whales feed almost entirely on krill and are most common near the edge of the pack ice, where they can feed under the ice and sometimes breathe through narrow cracks. They are often seen alone or in small groups, though larger groups can gather where krill is plentiful.

Where it goes

In summer they stay close to the Antarctic sea ice, south of about 60°S. Many are thought to migrate to warmer waters to breed, but their breeding grounds are still largely unknown.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

A Southern Hemisphere species, separate from the common minke whale and larger than the dwarf minke. In summer it is closely tied to Antarctic sea ice south of about 60°S. Genetic studies recognise at least two Indo-Pacific Antarctic stocks.