Antarctic Minke Whale

Balaenoptera bonaerensis is a small rorqual of Antarctic and Southern Ocean waters. It differs from the common minke whale by lacking the latter’s bright white flipper band. The body is streamlined, dark above and pale below, with a sharply pointed snout. Its curved dorsal fin sits far back on the body.

It occurs mainly south of New Zealand and may enter subantarctic waters. Its core range surrounds Antarctica, especially near seasonal sea ice. It eats krill and small schooling fish using short lunge-feeding dives. It is often solitary or in small groups outside feeding aggregations.

There is no dependable mainland site; subantarctic expedition voyages offer only occasional sightings.