Blue Whale in Costa Rica
October 30th, 2012
Considered as one of the greatest and biggest animals ever to live in this planet, the evolution of whales can be traced back to its land-based cousins. Like us humans, they are marine mammals that needs to breathe air regularly. Instead of nose, they breathe through modified nostrils called blowhole where you can see water vapor spouting out when they exhale. Whales are warm-blooded and has a thick layer of fat called blubber. Their bodies are perfectly streamlined allowing them to travel up to 20 knots (23 mph).
Unfortunate for the whales, they have a dark past where most of the whale species have been hunted down almost to extinction. But thanks to global support and cooperation, all whale species are now protected by law. Except for some countries that allow traditional hunting for home consumption while a lone Asian country still butchers these whales in commercial quantities. And unfortunately, these killings are done outside of their country’s territorial waters.
Located south of Dominical, Costa Rica has a marine park named after whales. The Ballena National Marine Park is home to several species of whales who comes and visits each year to breed and mate. The calm and protected waters of Drake Bay has been considered an ideal spot for breeding whales, and dolphins as well. Cano Island is also a good spot to encounter these gigantic animals.
As for the best time of the year to do whale watching, the season begins from August where whales start to arrive and feast on the plankton rich waters of Costa Rica and may run until November. In some instances, they are spotted in March to June especially in Cano Island.
Before we proceed, let us point out and please do not expect to see whalesharks in the list. They are actually sharks (not whales) and is considered the largest fish in the world. They breathe through the gills and has no mammary glands. The word “whale” is just used to described the size of the shark which can grow up to 12 meters (40 feet) in length.
Now, let’s proceed with the true whales of Costa Rica. There are two main types of whales in Costa Rica. The first group are called Odontocetes or whales with teeth and the other group are called Mystecetes or commonly called as Baleen whales where they have a filtering mechanism instead of teeth.
Max. Length: 1,800 centimeters
Max. Weight: 30 tonnes
a value: 0.3556
b value: 2.430
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy form WWF
The body of a Sei Whale has a dark steel grey color with some irregular light grey to white markings in the front part. Their skin is often marked with wounds which can turn in to white scars when healed. They are considered as a solitary species but may converge especially at their feeding grounds.
If there was just the so-called Whale Awards, then the Sei Whale would surely be on the list. For example, it can be awarded with the bronze medal for size and gold for the fastest speed which can reach up to 31 mph (27 knots).
For more information, you can read our article on Sei Whales.
Max. Length: 1,460 centimeters
Max. Weight: 5 tonnes
a value: 0.0429
b value: 2.740
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from Youtube
The three distinct ridges of the head can be your guide in identifying a Bryde’s whale. One good thing to note about this species is that they are restricted to live in waters that are warmer than 20 degrees celsius. So do not expect to see a bryde’s whale in temperate regions.
Another thing, you might be pronouncing bryde’s whale the wrong way. The proper pronunciation should be “brude’s whale”.
For more information, you can read our article on Bryde’s Whale.
Max. Length: 3,300 centimeters
Max. Weight: 160 tonnes
a value: 0.0061
b value: 3.000
Frequency: Endangered, can be found all over the world’s marine waters
Photo courtesy from sciencenews.org
Aside from being the largest among whales, it is also the largest animal ever lived. Even at birth, their young already measures a staggering 7 meters in length. They feed mostly on krill which is a small crustacean and their migration pattern will depend on the abundance and location of the krill.
During the 19th century, Blue whales were relentlessly hunted for its meat and has become the preferred whale to be hunted due to its enormous amount of meat. Luckily, with the protection and conservation given to them, the population of blue whales was able to bounce back where a growing population can be seen in the wild. There is even one individual of blue whale that has caught the media’s attention, the Albino Blue Whale.
For more information, you can read our article on Blue Whales.
Max. Length: 1,890 centimeters
Max. Weight: 35 tonnes
a value: 0.0199
b value: 2.950
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from Viva Natura
Aside from its behavioral characteristics, you can easily identify a humpback whale through its long pectoral fins which can grow up to 15 feet long. Humpbacks are often seen leaping out of the water in a dance they called “breaching”. Underwater, humpbacks can produce loud sound that can be heard 20 miles (30 kilometers) away. Scientist have been studying their so-called “signing pattern” and the most recent results showed it has something to do with communicating to far-distant whale pods.
Prior to their full protection and conservation worldwide, humpback whales were on the brink of extinction. Fortunately, global efforts have enhanced the population where humpback population worldwide has grown to 75,000 individuals. Costa Rica had just celebrated the longest humpback whale season in the world where hundreds of humpback whales migrated from the Arctic Seas to mate in Costa Rican waters.
For more information, you can read our article on Humpback Whales.
Max. Length: 610 centimeters
Max. Weight: 3.6 tonnes
a value: 0.0832
b value: 2.662
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from AnimalWorld
You can easily identify a Short-finned Pilot Whale through its sharply pointed fluke or tail fin and a round head that looks like a globe. When young, their bodies are quite slender but tends to be solid when they get old. A prominent feature of an adult male is the scars along its body believed to be remnants during mating.
You seldom see a solitary short-finned pilot whale as they usually go in groups called pods. In some instances, the pod can consist of up to a hundred individuals where they feed on squid and fish.
For more information, you can read our article on Pilot Whales.
Max. Length: 340 centimeters
Max. Weight: 400 kilos
a value:
b value:
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from Live Azores
You can easily identify a pygmy sperm whale through its creamy underside color with some pinkish undertone while the upper body has a bluish-grey color. The shape of their head has a close resemblance with those with the sharks except that the lower jaw is very small. They also have a white marking behind the eyes which can be mistaken as a gill, which is not because they breathe through the blowholes.
The swimming pattern of a pygmy sperm whale is very inconspicuous that it rises to the surface very slowly and may remain motionless. This is the reason why they are also called as the Floating Whale.
Max. Length: 270 centimeters
Max. Weight: 210 kilos
a value:
b value:
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from Tumblr
The main difference between a pygmy and a dwarf sperm whale is the size and lower jaw. Dwarf sperm whales are smaller than the pygmy’s but their lower jaw is much bigger and pronounced.
Same with the pygmy’s, dwarf sperm whales are known to discharge a reddish-brown ink. It is believed this is used to evade predators which is pretty much the same with the defense mechanism of a squid.
Max. Length: 470 centimeters
Max. Weight: 1 ton
a value:
b value:
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from Pinterest
Aside from having a beak, you can easily identify a Blainville’s Beaked Whale through its inconspicuous color pattern having a dark underside with a lighter shade. Their lower jaw is highly arched where the males have a prominent tooth erupting at the edge.
For more information, you can read our article on Beaked Whales.
Max. Length: 980 centimeters
Max. Weight: 10 tonnes
a value: 0.2080
b value: 2.577
Frequency: Endangered, can be found all over the world’s marine waters
Photo courtesy from Wikiwand
You can easily identify a killer whale with its distinct black and white color pattern and an erect dorsal fin. Also called as Orcas, they are usually found near the shore and feeds on smaller whales, seals, penguins, seabirds, turtles, squids and fish. For them, you can say: anything that moves can be eaten.
Killer whales are believed to possess some kind of intelligence as shown in their behavior like during hunting. This intelligent characteristic has made them a favorite showcase in theme parks and even earned them a lead role in an adventure movie.
For more information, you can read our article on Killer Whales.
Max. Length: 600 centimeters
Max. Weight: 2 tonnes
a value: 0.2160
b value: 2.437
Frequency: Endangered, can be found in tropical waters
Photo courtesy from scholastic.com
Ever wondered why it is called a false killer whale? Well, just imagine a smaller version of a true killer whale and without the white color pattern. Their body is colored black with a grey throat and neck. False killer whales are often found in deep offshore waters and feeds on fish and cephalopods like squids.
False killer whales are known to attack fellow whales even the larger species like the humpback whale. Like the true killer whales, false killer whales also possess some intelligence where they can be trained and featured in theme parks.
For more information, you can read our article on False Killer Whale.
The reason behind this is that the shallow warm waters of Costa Rica meets the cold current coming from the Pacific Ocean creating an upwelling effect. Technically termed as the Costa Rican Thermal Convection, this dome effect directs microscopic food from the bottom towards the surface thereby giving whales, and dolphins as well, a perfect thriving environment with an unlimited food supply.
Kidding aside, if whales can just talk like humans, then they will probably say: Why go to other areas when I am being pampered here in Costa Rica.
Use an arm which is extended forward and bent horizontally representing the surface water. Unroll 3 fingers on the other hand and make a wavy motion which represents the leaping out of the whales.
Click on the video below to follow a demonstration.
video courtesy from My Smart Hands
Sealifebase: http://www.sealifebase.org/summary/Balaenoptera-borealis.html
video courtesy from costaricabeauty’s channel