{"id":1297,"date":"2026-04-20T11:55:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flickerinthewater.com\/blog\/?p=1297"},"modified":"2026-04-20T20:58:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T00:58:59","slug":"rice-pudding-rice-cakes-rice-patties-rice-crispies-rice-whales-%f0%9f%90%8b-and-captain-crunch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flickerinthewater.com\/blog\/rice-pudding-rice-cakes-rice-patties-rice-crispies-rice-whales-%f0%9f%90%8b-and-captain-crunch\/","title":{"rendered":"Rice Pudding, Rice Cakes, Rice Patties, Rice Crispies, Rice Whales \ud83d\udc0b and Captain Crunch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Who hasn’t enjoyed a cup of Rice pudding as a dessert or had a bowl of Rice Crispies so crunchy even Capt Crunch could not out duel. Did you know there is a species of Whale \ud83d\udc0b called Rice’s Whale. This Baleen Whale was named after the scientist whose surname is Rice. Formerly because of how similar they are in appearance Rice Whale’s were indistinguishable from another Baleen whale called Bryde’s Whale \ud83d\udc0b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baleen Whale’s vary in shapes and sizes Blue and Humpback Whale’s are examples of Baleen whale’s. Which means unlike toothed whales they use a filtering system through their gills to absorb their nutrients. They feed mainly on Krill, plankton & microorganisms. And sometimes small fish or squid \ud83d\udc19. Toothed Whale’s which include Orcas, Sperm and even Porpoise are smaller than Baleen’s but hunt using their teeth and more agile frames to move aggressively through the water to go after their prey. Which can include fish, seals, sea lions and other meaty creatures. Have you ever seen a Porpoise or an Orca nod their head up and down in an aquarium when the trainer holds a treat in front of them? That is because unlike the Baleen whale they can turn their heads to make them much more efficient hunters. Baleen’s can not move their heads. Sperm whale’s are known to be very temperamental and have been responsible for sinking many a ship. Moby Dick was a Sperm whale and he sunk the Pequod the ship in the novel by deliberately ramming his head against the ships bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021 because of advanced imaging it was determined that the nasal bones of the Rice whale were different than that of the Bryde’s whale as is the vocal sound that the whale makes. Because of this and genetic testing it was determined the Rice whale was its own unique species of Whale. Deserving of being classified as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So interesting, as is the case with most Baleen whale’s Bryde’s whale is found throughout the world. Usually in colder waters many times in the Arctic. Often inhabited by Grey Whales as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice Whale’s on the other hand stay put year around choosing the Gulf of Mexico\/America as their home. The picture above illustrate its territory. Which is exclusive to the continental shelves circling the Gulf. They are known to be spotted in a section of the Gulf called DeSoto canyon about 100 miles due south of Destin. If you read A Flicker in the Water you know many of the catches I describe were right in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lets hope not, but unfortunately the future may not be so bright for Rice’s Whales. They are critically endangered with estimates of only around 100 or less of them remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their behavior also plays an unfortunate role for their future survival. Since they restrict themselves to specific areas of the Gulf year around they are vulnerable to the effects they may encounter there. Which may include oil spills, netting and being struck by ships. Unlike the Bryde’s whale, Rice Whale’s spend daytime hours feeding in deep water then resurfacing at night making them more vulnerable to collisions in shipping lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a believer in the adaptability of nature’s creatures to assist in their own survival. I hope the Rice whale will find this adaptability before it suffers the unfortunate fate of extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alot of other Whale species have been on the verge and have made remarkable comebacks. Let’s hope the Rice Whale \ud83d\udc0b does the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob Gonzalez <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to read more. Click here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Flicker in the Water by Author Bob Gonzalez<\/a><\/blockquote>