Details
Balaenoptera physalus
Fin whale is a long, fast-swimming baleen whale, one of the largest animals alive. Past whaling caused major declines, and ship strikes and ocean noise remain concerns.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It ranges through oceans worldwide, moving seasonally between feeding and warmer waters. Main habitat types in this guide are ocean.
Typical length 1800-2700 cm, weight 40 t-80 t. A very long body, low dorsal fin, and asymmetrical lower-jaw coloring are distinctive.
It is seasonal in its movements and activity and often found in loose groups. It migrates seasonally and surfaces alone or in small groups to breathe.
It is a filter feeder. Krill, small fish, and plankton are engulfed with seawater and filtered through baleen.
Females bear single calves that nurse while accompanying the mother on seasonal movements.
Habitat loss and human pressure make conservation attention important. Past whaling caused major declines, and ship strikes and ocean noise remain concerns.
