Rice's whale (Balaenoptera ricei), also called the Gulf of Mexico whale, is a medium-sized baleen whale found only in the northern Gulf of Mexico. It was long treated as a local population of Bryde's whale and was recognised as a distinct species in 2021 from genetic and skeletal evidence. It grows to about 12.65 metres, has a dark charcoal grey back with a pale to pinkish underside, and carries three prominent ridges along the top of its head. It does not migrate: it stays along the continental slope off western Florida at depths of roughly 150 to 410 metres, feeding at or near the seafloor by day and nearer the surface at night, apparently on the silver-rag driftfish. With a best population estimate of 51 whales, it is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and in Appendix I of CITES, and its numbers continue to decline.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsTransportation and Service Corridors 1 Relationship to PeopleEcotourism and Research 2 Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe RankG1 Critically Imperiled 3 CITES Appendix Conservation Status Body Size Band Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Rice's whale (Wikipedia)
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Rice's whale (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Rice's whale (Wikipedia)Lead, Gulf of MexicoQuote, Lead, Gulf of Mexico
is a species of baleen whale endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico
Sources
1. Rice's whale (Wikipedia)
Lead, realm
is a species of baleen whale endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico
Lead, living
It does not migrate but remains within this area year-round.
Lead, population trend
the population is continuing to decline
Conservation status, CITES
in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Lead, diet
The whale appears to selectively prey on the silver-rag driftfish
Conservation status, oil spills
Accidents from these operations can release huge quantities of oil into the ocean
Conservation status, vessel collision
Collision with ships has been documented in Rice's whales.
Lead, Gulf of Mexico
is a species of baleen whale endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico
Description, size
the NOAA reports a maximum weight of 27.2 metric tons
In Group: Cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises), Lead
is a species of baleen whale endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico
Child Taxon Of: Balaenopteridae, Description, rorqual
It is an intermediate-sized rorqual
In Biome: Marine, Lead, habitat
inhabits a restricted stretch along the continental slope in the northeastern part of the Gulf of Mexico
In Ecosystem: Gulf of Mexico, Lead
a species of baleen whale endemic to the northern Gulf of Mexico
View the Source2. NOAA Fisheries: Rice's whale (NOAA Fisheries)
NOAA FisheriesScienceQuote, Science
NOAA Fisheries continually conducts research to learn more about the biology, behavior, and ecology of Rice's whales to better inform management and policy decisions.
3. NatureServe: NatureServe Explorer: Balaenoptera ricei
NatureServeGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G1"
4. SeaLifeBase: Balaenoptera ricei, Rice's whale
SeaLifeBaseIUCN Red List StatusQuote, IUCN Red List Status
Critically Endangered (CR) (D); Date assessed: 01 September 2021
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