Omura's Whale

Omura's whale is a small, slender rorqual formally described as a distinct species in 2003. It has a single central head ridge, an asymmetrically coloured jaw—darker on the left and paler on the right—and a strongly curved dorsal fin (NOAA Fisheries; original species description).

Verified records are concentrated in warm tropical and subtropical waters, especially in the Indian and western Pacific oceans. It feeds on small schooling fish and krill, usually alone or in loose aggregations. Its recent recognition means older records may be hidden under Bryde's whale identifications (NOAA Fisheries; species-level studies). It is Nationally Endangered (Thailand Red Data 2025).