Key Identification Features
- Though it was first scientifically described in the mid-19th century, it was not accepted as a distinct species until the 1990s.
- A single solitary ridge runs from the tip of the rostrum to the paired blowholes, a distinctive trait of all baleen whales.
- Females have a distinct round feature called the hemispherical lobe at the end of their genital slit, which can be used to visually distinguish males from females.
For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.
