Fin Whale

ID points

• Lower jaw white on the right side and dark grey on the left, asymmetric
• Slender build, known as the greyhound of the sea
• A distinct ridge runs along the back from the dorsal fin to the tail

Basics

Family

Balaenopteridae

Length

18.0–25.0 m

Depth

0-470 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Deep sea

Distribution

Deep oceans worldwide

Habitat

Deep open ocean

Diet

Krill and schooling fish

Easily confused with

Minke WhaleA striking white band across the middle of the pectoral finHumpback WhaleExtremely long pectoral fins, close to a third of the body lengthBasking SharkThe open mouth is almost as wide as the body

Fun fact

The second largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, reaching 27 metres in length and swimming at up to 37 kilometres an hour. It is the long-distance champion of the whales.