Endangered Okhotsk Sea Bowhead Whale | Balaena mysticetus

This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) resting at the surface in very shallow water. This individual is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. Best estimates put the total size of this population in the low hundreds, most having being killed by commercial whalers. This individual is relatively dark, with not as much white on its body. The mottled discoloration of skin is indicative of epidermal molting, which these whales engage in during the summer months.

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Filename: balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhotsk-sea-bowhead-whale-201907-0259.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 5464x3640 / 57.7MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Whale Bowhead Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenidae Balaena mysticetus Arctic Whale Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Greenland Right Whale Marine Mammal Mysticete Polar Whale Russian Whale Okhotsk Sea Bowhead Whale Subpopulation Endangered: IUCN Red List Steeple-Top Whale Socializing Aerial Russia Sea of Okhotsk
Contained in galleries: Bowhead Whales, Aerial

This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) resting at the surface in very shallow water. This individual is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. Best estimates put the total size of this population in the low hundreds, most having being killed by commercial whalers. This individual is relatively dark, with not as much white on its body. The mottled discoloration of skin is indicative of epidermal molting, which these whales engage in during the summer months.