Mysticeti: Sexual Maturity by Sex (years)

In Mysticeti, unlike Odontoceti, sex parity in sexual maturity is very pronounced — most species reach maturity at the same age in both males and females. Bryde’s whale is the latest, with both sexes reaching maturity at 11.5 years, followed by the sei whale at 10 years. The humpback whale is the earliest in the group, reaching sexual maturity at just 5 years — a characteristic linked to its intense reproductive investment and relatively short cycles.

Chart data (Sexual maturity in years by sex):

References (with links)

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