Mysticeti: Maximum Number of Simultaneous Offspring

In Mysticeti, most species produce a single calf per gestation, a result of the high parental investment and long nursing periods characteristic of these whales. The minke whale is the most notable exception, able to have up to 3 simultaneous calves — an exceptional number for a cetacean of this size. The fin whale can occasionally have 2 calves. These exceptions are associated with species that have shorter reproductive cycles and greater reproductive flexibility.

Chart data (Maximum number of simultaneous offspring):

References (with links)

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