The Antarctic minke whale is a baleen whale with a circumpolar Southern Hemisphere range. It feeds in Antarctic waters in summer and is described as moving north to warmer waters in winter.
Its back is dark grey to black and its underside is pale grey or white. The pectoral flippers are light grey, and the dorsal fin sits toward the rear of the body.
Antarctic minke whales feed mainly on krill in the Southern Ocean during summer and move to lower latitudes to breed in winter. To study the long-term diet and movements of mature males, researchers measured carbon and nitrogen isotope patterns along baleen plates from nine whales. These patterns provide a record of feeding over time.
Antarctic krill was the main prey recorded, while prey from lower latitudes appeared rarely. Eight whales showed repeated isotope changes that may reflect seasonal movement. One whale showed no variation in nitrogen values, possibly indicating that it remained in Antarctic waters year-round. The baleen records point to more than one migration pattern among mature males.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Baleen from nine mature males recorded Antarctic krill as the main prey. Eight whales showed repeated isotope changes, while one showed no nitrogen variation, adding male feeding and movement data to Antarctic ecosystem studies.