The scale and depth of the world’s oceans mean it sometimes takes a very long time before a new species comes to light — even when it’s one who was hiding in plain sight.
In 2021, scientists officially declared a new species of whale known as Rice’s whale. For decades thought to simply be a type of Bryde’s whale, Rice’s whales have hooked dorsal fins, sleek, gray bodies, three prominent ridges in front of their blowhole, and they can grow as long as 41 feet. They are baleen whales, using a series of sieves instead of teeth to filter small prey out of the water.
As a result of their new classification and new information about their habitat, Rice’s whale may swim across greater parts of the Gulf Coast than previously thought, but they prefer to stay in warm waters and do not make long-distance migrations.
They are now one of the most endangered whales in the world, with fewer than 100 remaining.
And they’re up against huge challenges to their survival.
Oil, gas, and energy production leasing across swaths of their habitat, ongoing deadly vessel strikes, noise from seismic airguns and speeding ships, and the risk of oil spills all pose serious threats to the lives of Rice’s whales.
