Species MammalsFin Whale

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

The Fin Whale is the second-largest animal on Earth and the fastest large whale, capable of brief bursts exceeding 23 mph—earning it the nickname 'the greyhound of the sea.' It has an unusual asymmetrical color pattern, with the right lower jaw white and the left dark, possibly an adaptation for coordinated lunge feeding. Fin whale song is among the lowest-frequency sounds produced by any animal.

Habitat
Deep offshore oceanic and continental shelf waters
Diet
Krill, herring, capelin, and other schooling fish
How common
Uncommon

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