There is no specific or even estimated answer as to how many whales are in the world. Some researchers have estimates on specific whale species like the Blue Whales, which has an estimated count of 10,000 to 25,000 all over the world. Humpback Whales beat this number with an estimated 84,000 in the whole world.
Types of Whales and Their Population
There are two types of whale; baleen and toothed. Each type consists of families and species with varying numbers. Here are some of the estimated numbers of whales in the world.
Gray Whale Family
The gray whale is the only member of its family. Unlike other baleen whales, gray whales live in shallow water where they can feed on food at the seafloor. In 2020, there were approximately 20,500 gray whales left. Sadly, in the most recent survey in 2022, there are only more or less 16,650 gray whales left.
Right Whale and Bowhead Whale Family
There are three right whale species and one bowhead whale that make up this group. Currently, there are around 10,000 bowheads and 13,000 southern right whales remaining.
Rorqual Family
The family of rorqual whales is the largest baleen whale family, containing nine members like blue whales. The blue whale population is estimated to be between 10,000 and 25,000 animals worldwide.
Pygmy Right Whale Family
The pygmy right whale is the only member of its family, similar to the gray whale. Because pygmy right whales are rarely seen at sea, there is not a lot known about them. It is unknown how many of these creatures exist now or have existed in the past.
Sperm Whale Family
The sperm whale is the only creature in its family. The whaling industry has severely impacted sperm whale populations worldwide, reducing their numbers from approximately 1.1 million to just 300,000. Today, these majestic creatures are listed as endangered.
Pygmy Sperm Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whale Family
The dwarf and pygmy sperm whales, which are more closely dolphin-looking than whales, are substantially smaller than sperm whales. There’s not enough information to say for certain if this species’ population is rising, staying the same, or shrinking.
Beluga Whale and Narwhal Family
Nearly 136,000 Belugas exist in the world today, and two-thirds of them reside near areas with abundant Arctic sea ice. There are believed to be over 100,000 narwhals in the world today, which thankfully puts them at low risk for extinction.
Beaked Whale Family
Approximately 21 species of medium-sized toothed whales are in this family. They can be found in every ocean across the globe. As of writing, there is still a deficiency of data concerning beaked whale populations, so it is hard to make estimates for this family.
Final Thoughts
With all these varieties of whales out there, we can conclude that there is no one definitive answer on how many whales are in the world. The vast oceans are home to many of these creatures, though for some species their numbers are few. Conservation efforts must be taken to ensure that all whales can remain safe and healthy for future generations.
