Fin Whale

Fin Whale
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Eutheria Order: Cetacea Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenoptiidae Genus: Balaenoptera Species: Physalus
Binomial name
Balaenoptera physalus

The Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is a mammal which belongs to the baleen whales suborder. It is the second largest whale, and hence the second largest animal ever to have lived, after the Blue Whale. It has a world wide distribution, and in Europe is readily seen in the Bay of Biscay.

This rorqual is a filter-feeder, using its baleen to strain plankton out of the seawater and may reach 26m length.

This whale feeds on fish, squid and crustaceans.

It is a long slim whale with a prominent dorsal fin. The fin is visible soon after the blow when the whale surfaces. It has a 5m vertical single column blow. The tail remains submerged during the dive sequence.

It swims on its right side when feeding, which may account for the asymmetrical head pattern, with a large whitish patch on the right side.